Category: General

The two men standing accused for the murder of a 25-year-old lady, Georgina Asor Botchwey, have been remanded into prison custody by the Cape Coast High Court Two.

Christopher Ekow Clark Quansah and Michael Darko, a pastor, were until Tuesday, February 13, in the custody of the police.

But the two have been remanded in the Ankaful Prison Annex by the Court presided over by Mr Justice John Mark Nuku Alifo following the completion of police investigations into the matter.

The Court has set Tuesday, February 20, to commence an accelerated full trial in earnest with an assurance to complete same by the end of July given the heightened public interest in the case.

Consequently, the accused persons will appear before court three times every week.

Meanwhile, Justice Alifo has cautioned journalists against publishing false and misleading stories on the case, mindful of the fact that he could not prevent them from carrying out their duties.

The fact of the case is that the deceased, Georgina Asor Botchwey, a res
ident of Yeji in the Bono East Region and an applicant seeking admission at the Ankaful Psychiatric Nursing School in the Central Region, arrived in Cape Coast on Thursday, September 8, 2022, for an interview at the school.

Upon arrival, Botchwey called Darko who was her senior sister’s fiancé and informed him about her presence in the region and her mission there.

Darko then offered to pick her up after her interview at the Nursing School and later arrived in a taxi as had been arranged and sent her to Pedu Junction in Cape Coast, where Clark Quansah had parked his Benz Car with registration number GT 8686-C, which she joined.

Quansah then drove them to Akwaakrom near Mankessim, seized the deceased’s iPhone and locked her in a room.

The accused persons then went to Asikafo Ambantem, a suburb of Mankessim, where they allegedly dug a hole in an uncompleted storey building belonging to Quansah and went back for the lady and sent her to Asikafo Ambantem.

On September 9, 2022, around mid-day, Quansah and Dar
ko allegedly killed Georgina by hitting her head with a club and when she fell Darko held her neck till she died.

The two allegedly took away some pubic hair of the deceased and left the uncompleted storey building around 0200hours the next day.

A complaint was lodged by the brother of the deceased, Mr Alfred Duodu, with the police after frantic efforts to reach his sister proved futile.

The police later picked up an intelligence that it was Darko who picked Georgina at Ankaful.

Armed with the information, the police searched for Darko, who was arrested on Friday, September 19, at Anomabo and he admitted to the offence and led the police to where the deceased had been buried and the body was exhumed.

Further police intelligence later led to the arrest of Quansah from his hideout at Ekumfi Akwaakrom and he also admitted the crime, stating that they did it for money rituals.

The accused persons were first put before the Cape Coast District Court Two, presided over by Madam Bernice Mensima Ackon, and were
charged with conspiracy to commit crime to wit murder and murder.

Meanwhile, the accused persons had admitted to ritual murder during their appearances in court.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Greater Accra Region Office of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has encouraged Ghanaians to consume all cocoa-based products produced in the country and not only chocolate.

He said, ‘Ghana’s cocoa is one of the best you can get in the world so we are hoping that Ghanaians will take advantage of that and consume it in large quantities not only for its health benefits but also for its economic value.’

Mr Alexander Kwame Nketia, Greater Accra Regional Director, GTA in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of this year’s National Chocolate Day celebrations, in Accra,

said there were greater health values in consuming cocoa-based products, including chocolates, as it helped to improve the immune system.

He noted that ‘as we eat and consume more cocoa products, production goes up and more people could be employed along the whole value chain, from farm through production and distribution.’

Mr Nketia encouraged Ghanaians to also embrace the idea of using chocolate as a symbol of lov
e, during this period, since February is known to be a month of love because of Valentine’s Day.

He said Valentine’s Day, in Ghana had now been set aside to promote the healthy eating of cocoa. ‘So on this day, we are expecting people to rather use chocolate which is a cocoa-based product to show love and stay away from the traditional way of showing love which is sex.’

‘As an institution known for promoting Ghana’s rich cultural heritage and traditions, we have distributed chocolates and cocoa drinks to staff and patrons of the Accra Zoo as a way of showing love to them on

this special day and promoting our own made-in-Ghana products.’

He said, ‘We went to Accra Zoo to show this love to the teaming public who come there on a daily basis and also encourage them to make the cocoa business a lifetime affair so that together we can grow the industry and the country.’

The 2024 National Chocolate Day celebration is on the theme; ‘Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana’ and sub-themed ‘Explore Ghana, Eat Choc
olate’. It aimed to promote the consumption of Ghanaian chocolate and increase domestic tourism.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Preparations are underway for the Central Region to own an Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant (IRECOP) for effective waste management.

The IRECOP, a medical waste treatment plant and landfill for residual waste management sited at Mankessim in the Mfantseman Municipality, when completed, would receive solid, liquid and medical waste and have the capacity to create direct and indirect employment opportunities for the people.

Mr Thomas Korley, the Executive Director of Zoomlion Foundation, made this known at the launch of the fourth child sanitation diplomat’s campaign and project for improved sanitation in the country.

Ms Adwoa Gyakoa Appiah-Kubi, the child sanitation diplomat, said the project would be supported by World Vision Ghana, Ministry of Sanitation, Water and Natural Resources, Zoomlion Foundation, Ghana Education Service, GAMA SWP, and Kings Hall Media Limited.

The solid waste to be received across the region would also be processed into reusable materials such as compost for agriculture and
its related purposes.

Mr Korley said Zoomlion was committed to ensuring good sanitation practices to enhance the wellbeing of the citizenry, hence the establisment of the plant to reduce waste to the barest minimum.

This will contribute to Ghana’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices.

The project, he noted, would also create job opportunities, generate revenue and serve as recycling centre for communities and learning centre for students.

Enhancing good sanitation practices was a collective effort by all stakeholders, Mr Korley said, and called on relevant departments and agencies to join hands in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

He appealed to Ghanaians to embrace good sanitation practices for the health and wellbeing of all.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has given a two-week ultimatum to the Management of Bui Power Authority (BPA) to recover $45,516.00 from Broadway Mart, an auctioneering firm.

The amount is the value of 11 unserviceable vehicles and a motorbike, which Broadway Mart auctioned in December 2020, but failed to pay the proceeds of $45,516.00 into the Consolidated Fund.

Dr James Klutse Avedzi, the Chairman of PAC, directed Mr Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi, the Chief Executive Officer of BPA, to retrieve the money when the latter appeared before the Committee to respond to queries raised against the BPA in the Auditor-General’s Report for the year ending December 31, 2022.

‘We are giving you two weeks to take action and then report back to the Committee,’ Dr Avedzi stated.

Accompanying Mr Dzamesi to the PAC were Mrs Jemima Fayah, Finance Director, and Mr Franklin Nana Adei, Head of Legal, BPA.

According to the Auditors, approval was given to the Authority per the letter referenced OP/1002/COS date
d 20th November 2020, from the Office of the President to dispose of unserviceable vehicles belonging to the Authority.

The proceeds accruing from the auction sales were to be paid into the Non-Tax Revenue Account at the Bank of Ghana.

‘We noted that an auctioneer, Broadway Mart, who supervised the sale of 11 unserviceable vehicles and a motorbike in December 2020 failed to pay the proceeds of $45,516.00 from the auction into the Consolidated Fund.’

The DVLA registration numbers of the vehicles and a motorbike auctioned are: GV 2264-14 Ford Ranger P UP; GV 155-14 Ford Ranger P UP; GV 2258-14 Ford Ranger P UP; GN 3826-10 Nissan Teana SAL; GN 3825-10 Nissan Teana SAL; and GM 5332-14 MG Rover 750FL SAL.

The rest are GM 5333-14 MG Rover 7550FL SAL; GM 5335-14 MG Rover 750FL SAL; GM 5334-14 MG Rover 750FL SAL; GM 5335-14 MG Rover 750FL SAL; GV 189 14 Swaraj Mazda Midi Truck; and M-09-GT 1658 Yamaha Motor Bike.

The Auditors noted that the auctioneer failed to provide any documents to confirm the transfer of th
e proceeds into the Consolidated Fund.

The report indicated that the $45,516.00 was still outstanding in the books of the Authority as receivable.

The report said the Management responded that they previously made attempts to get all the necessary documents from the Auctioneer to confirm payments into the Consolidated Fund but to no avail.

Mrs Fayah noted that the Authority contacted the Auctioneer Registration Board to see if they could get through to Broadway Mart and that they also wrote a letter to the firm and copied the Auctioneer Registration Board.

‘We’ve been calling, at a point he wasn’t well. It is becoming more and more difficult to get hold of the Auctioneer,’ she said.

Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor, a Member of PAC, said the matter must be taken up by the Head of Legal, BPA.

He urged the BPA to sue the Broadway Mart to recover the money adding that it could reach Broadway Mart through issuing a writ.

Mr Dafeamekpor urged the Head of Legal to put the Office of the President on n
otice before proceeding to Court.

Mr Franklin Nana Adei, the BPA Head of Legal, said the Authority would be guided by the advice of PAC.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr Richmond Atuahene, a banking consultant, says the government’s constant borrowing from treasury bills could put Ghana on a trajectory to recession.

He said that borrowing from the T-bill market was more expensive than borrowing from the bond market since the T-bill market’s interest was greater than the bond market.

He was speaking at the Investment Dialogue which was organised by the Tesah Capital and hosted by an Accra private television station.

He said, ‘Whenever the short-term yield is higher than the long-term yield, the country heads towards a recession. That is what the literature has said.

‘When you were paying a bond at 9 per cent but you could not pay, and your bank’s T-bills were 30 per cent, do you think you could pay? What sort of analysis is this? If you cannot pay your bonds, why do you begin to accumulate short-term debts?’

The banking consultant emphasised that the practice could significantly deny the private sector access to credit, which would culminate in high unemployment due to
the absence of job creation.

 ‘Recent data from the Bank of Ghana showed that credit to the private sector has declined by 10 per cent in real terms. Let the private sector have cheaper funds to turn the economy around. If the Government is borrowing from T-bill and the private sector cannot compete, then we are crowding out businesses and enterprises.

It is a very dangerous thing because there will be no recovery. If there is no recovery, we will have a high unemployment rate because there is no job creation in the country,’ he said.

Dr Atuahene said the Government should have treated the energy sector debt as part of the efforts to restructure its debts since the lack of energy could affect economic recovery.

Professor Dennis Nsafoah, a scholar at Niagara University, said the monetization of debts by the Government had been most effective.

However, it has also been the most harmful to households and businesses, particularly low-income groups, due to the disproportionate impact of inflation.

To achieve
fiscal consolidation this year, the Professor advised the Government to adopt a balanced approach, incorporating significant reductions in government expenditure. 

Source: Ghana News Agency

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has appointed Ama K. Abebrese, British-Ghanaian actress, television presenter and film producer, as IOM Ghana’s first-ever female Goodwill Ambassador.

At the same time, Kofi Kinaata, IOM Ghana’s Goodwill Ambassador since 2017 has reaffirmed his commitment to migration and the well-being of migrants.

‘The announcement is part of IOM’s global appointment of nine new IOM Goodwill Ambassadors across the world. Artists, musicians, and athletes are among the personalities newly- appointed by IOM Director General Amy Pope’, said in a statement issued and signed by Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, IOM Ghana Chief of Mission.

 ‘We are honoured to be joined by Ama K. Abebrese as our first female Goodwill Ambassador and grateful to Kofi Kinaata for his continued commitment toward migrants and the Ghanaian youth. I am looking forward to bringing this partnership to life,’ it stated.

Kofi Kinaata is a multi-talented musician and songwriter from Ghana. Born as Martin King Arthur,
he is well known for his Fante rap and freestyle, earning his title as the Fante Rap God.

The statement acknowledged and appreciated Kinaata’s unique style with a touch of traditional African proverbs in his local language to entertain and educate.

Kofi Kinaata uses his platform to raise awareness of safe migration pathways and the dangers linked to irregular migration as well as to promote opportunities in Ghana, reaching especially the youth.

IOM Ghana has been working with Kofi Kinaata on various occasions, including annually on International Migrants Day. What is more, Kofi Kinaata has released two songs with messages of safe migration.

‘There is a lot to be done to allow young Ghanaians to make informed migration decisions as well as to explore further opportunities at home. I use my music to educate my audience about these very important topics and to raise awareness of safe migration pathways and the

dangers linked to irregular migration,’ the statement quoted Kinaata.

Ama K. Abebrese is an actre
ss, television presenter and film producer. Being raised in a migrant family, she is a role model and a change-maker in Ghanaian society at home and in the diaspora and is engaged in connecting the two.

Previously, Ama K. Abebrese has used her platform to raise awareness about topics such as mental health and child rights. Her dedication to both her craft and her advocacy work has made her a respected figure in Ghana and beyond.

‘As a child of parents who left the shores of Ghana for another country and as a Diasporan having lived between Ghana and the UK all my life, I understand why many people choose to migrate for various reasons. I hope and encourage everyone to do this safely and through the right channels,’ Abebrese also indicated in the statement.

The partnership with these two personalities is a meaningful step, highlighting IOM Ghana’s commitment to impactful advocacy, specifically targeted at the Ghanaian youth, the statement concluded

Source: Ghana News Agency

Opportunity International Savings and Loans (OISL) has received cyber security ISO/IEC 27001 certification from Certi-Trust, a global certification body specializing in information security, cybersecurity, and privacy protection.

The certification, in line with the Bank of Ghana’s directive to Financial Institutions to improve their Cyber and Information Security space goes to attest to OISL’s successful re-inforcement of its defenses against cyber threats and its commitment to robust information security services.

A statement from OISL to the Ghana News Agency noted that it also underscored the company’s dedication to safeguarding customer information and ensuring regulatory compliance in line with Bank of Ghana’s to financial institutions to improve their information and cyber security space.

It also said that OISL engaged the services of Innovate Ghana to lead through the certification process.

Organizations are required to implement risk management processes to identify potential threats, evaluate the
ir impact, and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.

The ISO/IEC 27001 certification is an International Standard Certification that stresses on the importance of identifying and assessing Information Security risks by offering a comprehensive and thorough framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving Financial Institution’s Information Security Management Systems.

With this certification, Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd therefore becomes one of the very few Savings and Loans Institutions to have achieved this important and regulatory milestone, the statement said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A total of 20 youth serving as climate reporters under the GoAdapt project have held a collaborative meeting with some selected media houses in Tamale.

They were drawn from four districts in the Northern Region namely Savelugu, Nanton, Tolon and Kumbungu, and would undergo coaching from experienced media practitioners on news gathering, writing skills, reporting techniques, radio presentation, and social media reporting, among others.

The initiative formed part of the GoAdapt Project, which is being implemented by a consortium of NGOs including Changing Lives in Innovative Partnerships (CLIP) as the lead implementer, YEFL-Ghana (Youth-focused organisation), and Ghana Venskab, a Danish organisation, with funding support from CISU.

The project seeks to support inclusive climate adaptation planning using the bottom-up approach and help create more awareness and build the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities to become more resilient to climate change.

Mr Nurudeen Ibrahim, Coordinator of GoAdapt Project
, addressing participants during the event to officially introduce the reporters to their mentors, said the media engagement was to ensure that climate reporters were empowered to execute their duties professionally.

He said: ‘Strong collaboration between the climate reporters and the media will strengthen their capacity to report effectively on issues of climate change and their impact in their various communities.’

He further said the climate reporters would be directly attached to some media organisations, so that they would be coached to be more skilled and competent in their reporting.

Mr Yaro Ismail Kataali, Manager, Might FM/TV, urged the reporters to prioritise continuous learning and research on issues of climate change and other community development challenges especially some of the best farming practices to help sustain the environment.

He advised them to build cordial working relations with communities to enable them to gather information needed for the smooth implementation of the project.

Mr Mohammed Hudu, a Climate Reporter for Tolon, commended YEFL-Ghana and the entire GoAdapt team for the initiative and pledged to leverage on the partnership to enhance his reporting skills.

Source: Ghana News Agency