Category: General

Heads of anti-corruption agencies in Commonwealth Africa have started converging in Accra, Ghana, ahead of the 14th Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies.

Representatives from over 21 African countries’ anti-corruption agencies within Commonwealth Africa have started arriving in Accra ahead of the event.

The four-day event, from May 6 to 10, 2024, under the theme “Strengthening Institutions and Promoting Transparency: A Means of Fighting Corruption in Commonwealth Africa,” is expected to attract over 120 delegates.

This year’s annual conference, organised by Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), is graced by representatives from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Rwanda, Togo, Gabon, Mauritius, Seychelles, Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, and Zambia.

COP Maame Yaa Addo-Danquah, Executive Director of EOCO, revealed at a media briefing that the Keynote Speaker for the opening ceremony will be President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, while Vice Pr
esident Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is billed to speak on ‘Digitalization as a tool to combat corruption, signaling Ghana’s readiness to leverage technology in its anti-corruption efforts.’

This is the second time Ghana is hosting the event, and other stakeholders such as governmental agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners will be in attendance.

“Gabon and Togo are the new additions to the Commonwealth countries, so they are also joining from Francophone countries,” she said.

COP Addo-Danquah reaffirmed the country’s dedication to fostering integrity and accountability on the continent, thereby setting the stage for collaborative action against corruption.

Heads of anti-corruption agencies in the Commonwealth are hosted by different member countries on a rotating basis. Since 2011, a total of 13 meetings have been held.

One was held in Mahé, Seychelles, in 2023 under the theme “Uniting Commonwealth Africa in the Fight Against Corruption” and was officially opened by President Wavel Ra
mkalawan of the Republic of Seychelles.

Source: Ghana Web

 Chad holds a presidential election on Monday meant to end three years of military administration and usher in democracy, but which instead appears likely to solidify the interim president’s grip on power.

General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno – who seized power in 2021, suspended the constitution, and was installed as the president of the Transitional Military Council – is the favourite among the 10 candidates.

The 40-year-old became the central African nation’s leader when his father, who had repressively ruled Chad since 1990, died from wounds suffered on the front line as he visited troops in the north battling rebels.

The vast country of around 19 million people has never experienced a peaceful transfer of power since its independence from its former colonial power France in 1960.

Déby promised that his presidency was only a temporary placeholder until Chad had transitioned to a new democratic government. But he has crushed opposition demonstrations, and voters and observers alike doubt that the election
will be fair.

Chad, the fifth largest country in Africa and the fourth poorest in the world is located at an important crossroads in the heart of Africa.

It has also been an important Western ally in a volatile part of the world.

Chad borders Sudan and its Darfur region, which was wracked by ethnic slaughter 20 years ago. Observers say the risk of Sudan’s current civil war, which has been raging for over a year, is at high risk of spiralling into a new genocide in Darfur. More than 600,000 people have fled from Sudan to eastern Chad, with more arriving every day.

To the west and south, the country borders Niger and Nigeria, where Islamist terrorist militias are active. Meanwhile, fighting with rebels from neighbouring Libya is smouldering in the Sahara in the north.

While other military rulers in the region have severed ties with France, Déby retains a relationship with Paris. Last year, France withdrew troops from Niger engaged in anti-terrorist operations and relocated them to Chad.

However, Déby’s vi
sit to Russian President Vladimir Putin in January and a recent letter to Washington questioning the legality of the US military presence in Chad caused a stir.

Preliminary election results are to be released on May 21.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Habib Munkaila, a 33-year-old man, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for defrauding a trader of GHC120,000.

Munkaila is alleged to have collected the money under the pretext of changing it into 6,855,000 CFA Francs but failed.

Charged with defrauding by false pretences and dealing in foreign exchange without license, Munkaila has pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah has admitted the accused person to bail in the sum of GHC100,000 with three sureties.

The matter has been adjourned to May 7, 2024.

Inspector Shiela Tetteh, who held brief, narrated that the complainant Cecilia Ahemah is a trader who ply her trade between Accra and Lome.

Prosecution said Munkaila was a foreign exchange dealer who operated on the ‘black market ‘at Tudu.

The prosecutor told the court that in September 2023, the complainant needed CFA Francs to purchase goods from Lome in Togo.

According to prosecution, the complainant contacted the accused person who assured her that he could change
the money for her.

Prosecution said the complainant gave Munkaila an amount of GHc120,000, equivalent to 6,855,000 CFA Francs.

After a week, the prosecution said the complainant went to the accused person to collect the money so she could travel to Lome to purchase her goods.

Prosecution said the accused person told the complainant to proceed to Lome and that he had transferred the money to one Mohammed in Lome to be given to her.

On reaching Lome, the complainant met Mohammed who told her that he has not received any money from Munkaila.

Prosecution said the complainant returned to Accra and Munkaila informed her that there was shortage of CFA Francs on the market, and that he had given the money to one of his clients to get the CFA Francs within one week.

The court heard that the accused person failed to give the complainant the money as promised and kept postponing the delivery date.

Prosecution said the complainant after waiting for six weeks, reported the matter to the Police and the accused perso
n was arrested.

The court was told that the accused person during investigation stated that he had invested the money into a business but declined to disclose the said business to the Police.

Prosecution said the accused person refunded GHC30,000 to the Police which had since been released to the complainant.

The prosecution said during police investigations, it became known that the accused person did not have a license to trade in Foreign Exchange.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A High Court in Accra has declined a request from the lawyers of Daniel Asiedu, the man accused of murdering the late Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, to subpoena four individuals to testify in the ongoing trial.

Asiedu, who is on trial for murder and robbery, wants the Court to compel Ivy Boakye Danquah, the late MP’s wife; Jennifer Achama, their housekeeper; Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Minister for Communications; and Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central, to provide relevant information for the case.

However, the Court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, was of the considered opinion that subpoenaing them to testify at this stage would be needless.

The Court also stated, “The applicant, Daniel Asiedu, bears no obligation to establish his innocence and has no duty to assist the prosecution in their case.”

According to the motion for a subpoena filed ex parte (without the prosecution’s knowledge) on Monday, May 6, by defence lawyer Yaw Dankwah, the four indivi
duals are: Ivy Boakye Danquah, the late MP’s wife; Jennifer Achama, their housekeeper; Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications; and Ken Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin Central.

Counsel argued that the testimony of these individuals in court would serve the interest of justice for the populace.

Lawyer Dankwah submitted that during the cross-examination of witnesses, it was revealed that Ivy Boakye Danquah Adu, the late JB Danquah Adu’s wife, was in the house at the time of his death, yet the prosecution did not call her to testify.

The subpoena further explained that Jennifer Achama, the housekeeper who allowed the supposed unidentified police officers into the house, was not called to testify, although her statement was disclosed during the case.

It also stated that Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, MP for Ablekuma West and Minister for Communications, should be invited by the Court to testify, as she was the one who brought the third and fourth prosecution witnesses to a police officer at Kanda Highways fo
r investigation.

However, no statement was taken from her, nor was any explanation provided regarding how she encountered PW3 and PW4 (3rd and 4th Prosecution Witnesses) and what transpired before she handed them over to the police officer at Kanda Highways.

The subpoena also mentioned that Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central, gave interviews to media outlets claiming he had information about the incident, yet the investigator and his team did not invite him to contribute to the investigation of the current trial.

The accused and his lawyers believe these individuals possess relevant information and, if called to testify, will assist the court and the jury in delivering justice swiftly.

They also maintain that the Court has the authority to issue a Subpoena Order for Ivy Boakye Danquah Adu, the deceased’s wife; Jennifer Achama, the housekeeper; Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, MP for Ablekuma West and Minister for Communications; and Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central, to appear and testify.

Charges:

D
aniel Asiedu, also known as Sexy Don Don, has been ordered to present his defence against two charges, murder and robbery, after the court found that the prosecution had presented prima facie evidence against him.

Vincent Bossu, who was tried alongside him for conspiracy to rob, has been acquitted and discharged.

By Court:

Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, after considering the submission of the accused’s counsel, refused the application for a subpoena.

Reviewing the affidavit supporting the motion, particularly paragraphs 7 and 8, the defence contended that the prosecution failed to call witnesses who, they believe, have pertinent information for the court to resolve the case.

For these reasons, the defence argued that the Court should permit these individuals to be subpoenaed on behalf of the accused.

The Court noted that “witnesses are to be weighed, not counted.”

“It is the prosecution’s prerogative to call any witnesses they deem necessary to advance their case, and if they choose not to, it may be becaus
e the evidence is deemed irrelevant.

Justice Osei Marfo also cited Section 52 of the Evidence Act to support her decision.

Considering the stage of the case and the number of witnesses the defence counsel seeks to subpoena, the judge opined that calling these individuals to testify now would be unnecessary, merely adding cumulative evidence that is undue and a waste of time.

“The applicant has no obligation to prove his innocence and is not required to assist the prosecution,” the Court declared.

The Court advised that what he needs to do now is testify to challenge the prosecution’s case.

EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that the earlier motion, filed on notice on April 22, 2024, was withdrawn and struck out by the Court.

The case has been adjourned to May 13, when Asiedu will begin his defence against the charges.

Source: Ghana Web

In celebration of Girls in ICT Day, observed on Thursday, April 25th, 2024, AT, Ghana’s most innovative telecommunications company, hosted students from Aburi Girls Senior High School.

The event, held at AT’s headquarters in Accra, aimed to give students an opportunity to interact with ICT industry professionals and gain practical knowledge of ICT in the workplace.

In his address to the students, AT’s CEO, Leo Skarlatos, emphasized the transformative power of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), encouraging the students to employ technology as a tool for positive change. “Technology is about using innovation to solve real-life problems and make a meaningful impact.

As future leaders in ICT, you have the power to shape the world by using technology with purpose. Whether you’re creating apps to improve people’s lives or developing software to address social issues, the possibilities are endless,” he said.

The visit also included a QandA session, where students had the opportunity to ask
questions to a panel of women from various departments at AT. This interactive segment allowed the girls to envision themselves as future leaders in the ICT industry and provided an opportunity to ask questions about overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities in the ICT sector.

One of the panelists, Talitha Mensa-Bonsu, Head of Data Network at AT, shared her personal journey of overcoming obstacles to pursue a career in engineering, despite not having an initial background in the field. Her story resonated with the students, illustrating that passion and determination can lead to success in technology.

Leo Skarlatos also emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in the technology industry, commending the female ICT teachers present. “As we work towards gender equality, having more female ICT teachers can inspire more girls to pursue careers in technology,” he said.

He also encouraged teachers to use diverse teaching methods to engage and inspire more girls to consider careers in tech. This
year’s Girls in ICT theme of leadership was incorporated into the event, with a focus on empowering young girls to aspire to take on leadership roles in the ICT sector. This initiative aligns with the National Girls-in-ICT Initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization.

Source: Ghana Web

The Police are searching for two gunmen who fatally shot two off-duty Police officers, sitting in front of their private residence at Block factory, East Trasacco, Accra, on Thursday, May 02, 2024, at about 1800 hours.

A news brief from the Police said the gunmen did not take anything from the victims and sped off on a motorbike.

Police said an intelligence-led operation to get the suspects arrested was ongoing.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr Hafiz Bin-Salih, the Upper East Regional Minister, has called for the support of Chiefs in the Region to enable him steer development.

He acknowledged that without the support of Chiefs across the 15 Municipalities and Districts, the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), could not work effectively to execute the plans and policies of government for the Region.

Dr Bin-Salih, a former Minister for the Upper West Region, took over from Mr Stephen Yakubu, who was moved to Upper West as Regional Minister.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in a statement signed by Mr Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Presidency, on April 4, 2024, swapped the two Ministers.

Dr Bin-Salih made the call when he visited the Chiana-Pio, Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area at his Palace to formally introduce himself.

‘Chiana-Pio, I am here to inform you that I have fully taken over as Regional Minister, and I cannot execute the development agenda of the Region alone,’
he told the Paramount Chief, who is the President of the Regional House of Chiefs.

Dr Bin-Salih, in the company of members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), told the Chiana-Pio that ‘I am here to lead the developmental agenda of this Region.

‘But I am conscious of the fact that the task is huge, and I cannot do it alone, I will need the guidance of you, our Chiefs. You have been blessed with wisdom and experience,’ he added.

The Minister, Chairman of REGSEC, noted that there were conflicts in some parts of the Region, and assured the Chiana-Pio that he would work to ensure that peace and harmony returned to the Region to propel development.

‘It is only within an environment of peace that there can be development. The government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is desirous of extending development to every part of the country.

‘But where there are conflicts, it will be difficult to implement programmes and projects that will lead to development,’ Dr Bin-Salih said.

The Minister further extended th
e courtesy call to Paramount Chiefs within the Kassena-Nankana West District on the first day of his visit.

The Chiana-Pio, just like the rest of the Paramount Chiefs visited, thanked Dr Bin-Salih for calling on him, and assured the Minister of his support to enable him lead the development agenda of the Region.

The concern of the Paramount Chiefs the Minister visited within the District, was about the need for peace in the Region, especially in Bawku, and reiterated appeals for peace in the area.

The Chiefs also used the opportunity to appeal for development projects in their Traditional Areas.

Pe Ayagitam III, for instance, reiterated appeals for the construction of the Chuchuliga-Chiana-Tumu road, which had been in deplorable state for years.

He further called on the Minister to use his influence to ensure the construction of an airport for the Region and the swift completion of construction works at the Regional Hospital.

At the Paga-Pio’s Palace, Pe Charles Awiah Awampaga II, the Paramount Chief of
Paga, expressed concern about a girls dormitory block of the Paga Senior High School which was gutted by fire in January 2020 without efforts to refurbish the structure for the students.

He appealed to the Minister to ensure the dormitory was refurbished to promote academic activities.

Source: Ghana News Agency

 The death toll in flooding in southern Brazil after days of heavy rain has risen to at least 66, civil defence authorities said on Sunday.

Another six possible deaths are being investigated, while 101 people are still missing, according to authorities in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.

More than 80,000 people were forced to leave their homes and some 15,000 had to be accommodated in emergency shelters.

More than 400,000 households were reportedly without electricity and around 840,000 people were left without water, while dozens of communities were without internet and telephone connections.

Numerous roads remain blocked following the floods that have affected 332 communities since the beginning of last week, according to the authorities.

The city centre of Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, was also flooded.

The governor of the state that borders Argentina and Uruguay, Eduardo Leite, called the floods an unprecedented disaster. The number of victims could rise ‘exponentially’ de
spite the gradual decrease in rainfall, as some areas have not yet been reached, he said.

Leite said Marshall Plan-type efforts would be needed to rebuild Rio Grande do Sul, alluding to the US economic aid programme for the reconstruction of Europe after World War II.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited the affected area for the second time on Sunday.

According to the government, around 1,600 people and 32 helicopters have been deployed in permanent rescue operations. The Air Force has rescued more than 200 people so far.

Civil defence authorities warned on Sunday of potential further flooding and landslides. Parts of the affected region had already experienced storms and flooding in September, resulting in at least 42 deaths.

Source: Ghana News Agency