Day: April 29, 2024

Bright Kwashie, a 32-year-old driver, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding a businessman of GHC1,058,600.

Kwashie allegedly collected the money from the businessman to sell him an auctioned Toyota Rav 4, Mercedes Benz S360, Kia Picanto, and four generator plants, but failed to do so.

Kwashie was joined in the dock by Divine Kwasi Agbeyagah, a teacher who pretended to be a Customs Officer and helped commit the crime.

While Kwashie has been charged with defrauding by false pretences, Agbeyagah is facing a charge of abetment of crime.

The two accused have been granted bail in the sum of GHC100,000, with three sureties, one of whom must own landed property.

The court granted bail after the Office of the Attorney General requested the case docket since the sum involved in the matter exceeded GHC500,000.

The court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, has adjourned the matter to May 26, 2024.

The prosecution said that the complainant, Philip Osabutey, is a vehicle and gener
al goods dealer.

Kwashie is a resident of Odomi in the Oti Region, whereas Agbeyagah is a teacher who lives in Nsakye, near Nsawam, and from Odomi in the Oti Region.

The court heard that in March 2021, the complainant wanted to buy some vehicles and asked his friend Nicolas Afitoo, a witness in the case, to assist him.

The prosecution said the witness then introduced his nephew, Kwashie, to the complainant as an errand boy who would look up information on the vehicles the complainant wanted.

According to the prosecution, Kwashie later informed the complainant that he had a Customs officer friend named Chief Atomi who was in charge of the Aflao Customs Boarder Checkpoint and could help him acquire several vehicles to be auctioned, including a Toyota Rav 4, valued at GHC120,000, a Mercedes-Benz S360 at GHC395,000, a Kia Picanto for GHC16,000, and four generator plants from Togo.

Additionally, the complainant was required to pay GHC67,000 for documents.

The prosecution said that the complainant made an ini
tial payment of GHC70,000 to Kwashie, for which he provided a receipt.

Kwashie subsequently gave the complainant 24 telephone numbers to wire money to.

The prosecution said that the complainant made various payments totalling GHC1,058,600 to telephone numbers.

On April 15, 2021, while the complainant was waiting for the goods to be delivered, Kwashie introduced Agbeyagah to him over the phone as a Customs officer and uncle who could assist with the documentation of the goods.

The prosecution said Agbeyagah told the complainant to transfer GHC22,300 to his mobile money account to facilitate the documentation.

The complainant waited for the goods, but they were not delivered, so he petitioned the Police Intelligence Directorate, and Kwashie was arrested at his hideout in Akpafu, Oti Region, and turned over to the Criminal Investigations Department’s Auto Theft Unit.

The prosecution said Agbeyagah was apprehended on May 20, 2023, by the Police and admitted the offence, claiming that he sent GHc10,000 to Kw
ashie on his Momo account and was only given GHC1,300 in commission.

During their investigation, the police obtained mobile money records from Agbeyagah’s personal phone number for Richard Atigah, Samira Sulley, God; Love Ventures, Refuge Agbogah, Bright Kwashie, and Mohammed Abdul, which were then transferred to Kwashie, the first accused person.

The prosecution said Kwashie failed to lead the police to the other accused persons allegedly involved in the matter.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Samuel Afotey Otu, National President, Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), has urged members to stay away from any political influence ahead of the December 2024 General Election.

He said as the election beckoned members must continue to work within the tenants of their ethics to safeguard the independence of the judiciary.

Mr Samuel Afotey Otu, who said this at JUSAG @ 50 health walk in Aburi in the Eastern Region emphasised that, ‘I want to assure our members that everything is under control and this year we are hoping for better things. This year is an election year and we (JUSAG) want everybody to take his or her work seriously. Nobody should be influenced by any political party.

We are ready to work, we are ready to deliver our task,’ the JUSAG President said.

According to him, the work of staff should be tactful in such a way that it will safeguard the independence of the judiciary.

Mr Afotey said he was very satisfied with the exercise, adding, ‘I think Judicial Service work is
always (about) sitting down and this is not good for our health.’

He therefore urged members to engage in regular exercises to ward off various ailments.

The JUSAG President said, the call for regular exercise also resonated well with the Chief Justice’s call for sporting activities.

‘We expect every staff to participate in all the activities because our vision is stronger together.’ Mr Afotey charged.

Mr. Ramsey Ahorklui, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of JUSAG, said activities lined-up for the celebration included floats, health screening, sporting activities and symposiums.

Registrars, recorders, clerks, administrators, and some members of the bench took part in the health walk which started from Ayi-Mensah and ended at Peduase Lodge.

The walk ended with an aerobic session.

JUSAG members from Sogakope in the Volta region and Bongo in the north also took part in the health walk.

JUSAG was formed in Cape Coast in the Central Region in 1973 and had its 50th Anniversary launched on February 17, 20
24.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A five-day photographic exhibition which started Monday April 22 ended Friday April 26 in Accra.

Dubbed ‘Sprit Possession,’ the exhibition was on the theme: ‘Celebration of Ghanaian faces, African Culture and Heritage’.

It was organised by Mr Thomas Fynn, an award-winning Ghanaian photographer and Executive Director, FYNNexhibits, in collaboration with Tom Lamb, a landscape and ethnographic photographer based in the United States, and the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG).

Inspired by the ‘Experience Ghana, Share Ghana’ campaign of the Ghana Tourism Authority, the exhibition featured diverse themes from ancient historic monuments through ecotourism to ethno-cultural presentations.

They included Ghanaian rites of passage comprising birth, puberty, marriage and death rites, slavery, independence struggle, social and political history, political maturity and stability, chieftaincy, traditional festivals, national and international festivals, and African faces and culture.

The eve
nt which took place at the forecourt of CLOGSAG National Secretariat, Ministries, Accra, was patronised by several distinguished personalities including Dr Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, Head of Civil Service, Mr William Kojo Krakani, Deputy Executive Secretary, CLOGSAG, Nii Ayikwei Kakalor I, Kokomlemle Mantse, and Ms Judith Kelly, Senior Corporate Affairs Officer, Ghana Tourism Authority.

The attendees were also CLOGSAG, Ministries, Agencies and Departments, other traditional authorities, the Media, photo artists, artistic performers, lovers of arts, and the public.

Speaking at the close of the exhibition, the Executive Director of FYNNexhibits, expressed profound gratitude to the chiefs and other traditional authorities, the Ghana Dance Ensemble, Tom Lamb, CLOGSAG, the Ministries, Agencies and Departments, Media and the public for making the event a success.

‘I have to promote tourism. I have to market Ghana. I have to tell stories that will draw people to Ghana. And photography enables me to tell the stories wel
l.’ Mr Fynn said.

He said the exhibition sought to portray the rich culture and heritage of Ghana and Africa, to display the resilience of Africans, and to encourage the youth to go back to their roots and embrace their unique African identity.

‘It also showcased the nation’s vast and diverse natural resources and sought to emphasise the need to protect and preserve our forests, wildlife, beaches waterfalls, rocks and other reserves,’ Mr Fynn added.

He called on Government to promote the arts and especially support art photographers to help project the richness of the country.

He stressed the important role of museums in preserving and promoting cultural heritage, and urged Government to ensure museums were well resourced, adding that, passionate and qualified professionals should be employed to run the museums to make them more vibrant in the country.

Mr Fynn said the five-day exhibition also served as the launch of the upcoming mega exhibition in the United States of America (USA) from June 1 to June 2
9, 2024.

The event, which will be held at the Orange County Centre for Contemporary Arts (OCCCA), Santa Ana, California, is being organised by Mr Fynn in collaboration with Tom Lamb, African American quiltmaker and Allyson Allen.

Mr Fynn said the USA exhibition would showcase Ghana’s unique identity, cultural wealth, and natural splendor to the global audience.

‘The exhibition will cast the spotlight on Ghana as a preferred tourist destination in the world and promote cultural appreciation and boost Ghana’s economic growth.’ Mr Fynn noted.

Source: Ghana News Agency

An Accra High Court Monday dismissed Mr Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, South Dayi Member of Parliament’s (MP) application for mandamus (order for a public officer to fulfil his mandate) to compel the Speaker of Parliament and the President to act on the anti LGBTQ bill within seven days.

Mr Dafeamekpor prayed the Court to direct the Speaker of Parliament to present the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill to the President in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution on the basis that Parliament duly complied with all the constitutional provisions.

The MP also prayed that the Bill be transmitted to and received by the President for assent in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution.

Again, Mr Dafeamekpor wanted an order directed at the President to receive the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill as presented by Parliament in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution to assent.

The Court presided over by Justice Ellen Lordina Mireku held that although the Court had j
urisdiction over the matter, granting of mandamus was discretional and that the Supreme Court should be allowed to determine the cases before it.

The Court said there was an argument of a breach of the Constitution in the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill by Parliament and would, therefore, be inappropriate to compel the Speaker to transmit the Bill considering the pending suits at the apex court.

Prior to the Court’s decision, Madam Sylvia Adesu, Chief State Attorney, argued that the application was premature and violated the separation of powers.

She said the Constitution did not allow the court to interfere with the work of Parliament.

The Chief State Attorney also said the applicant did not fulfil the requirements for a mandamus to be granted.

Madam Adesu said it would be very disrespectful for the Bill to be transmitted to the President for him to act on it when there were suits before the Supreme Court challenging its passage.

Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, counsel for Mr Dafeamekp
or, said the arms of government must operate within the ambit of the Constitution.

He cited Article 286(5), which stipulates that the Offices of the President and the Speaker are public offices and subject to the judicial jurisdiction of the court.

The applicant’s lawyer said the court had exclusive jurisdiction over mandamus.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Agrihouse Foundation, a non-governmental agricultural capacity building, innovation and project management organisation, has held its 15th edition of the AgriWoman marketplace exhibition for women entrepreneurs in agriculture, at Dzorwulu in Accra.

The marketplace is an initiative by the Agrihouse Foundation developed during the Covid-19 pandemic to enable women in agro-processing to exhibit and sell their products.

It was also to help them to network and focus on changing the perception and conversation on women’s involvement in agriculture.

Participants included women in agric mechanization, agro processors into food and beverages, fashion and beauty products.

Ms Alberta Akosa, the Executive Director of the Foundation, said the initiative was to support the women to ensure their products penetrated the local and international markets.

‘This initiative is fully funded by the Agrihouse Foundation and regardless of the financial challenges, it will continue its monthly marketplace initiative to support th
e women in their businesses,’ she said.

Ms Akosa said the event had been impactful, making some of the women to network locally and internationally, exporting their products to South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and the United Kingdom.

She was happy to note the support of some institutions, like the Food and Drugs Authority, which had helped the women to register their products.

‘We are looking at very innovative ways and approaches that we can ensure that women get exposure to their products and also be able to support the rural women producers who are our next target from next month.’

Ms Akosa told the Ghana News Agency that the achievements had motivated the Foundation to do more, adding that: ‘We are committed to seeing agribusiness and women businesses rise. If we are able to scale it up, we will be able to support rural women producers as well.’

Madam Peggy Ofori, an agro-processor, said the support she had received from the networking was overwhelming.

‘I have gotten exposure through this programme and
have been able to travel to Kenya with my products.’

Ms Safuratu Yussif Sulley, also an agro-processor into beauty products, said: ‘Personally, the support and exposure I have gotten has been enormous and I am really grateful to the Agrihouse Foundation.’

Some products exhibited were bags and hats, shito, granola, chia seeds, sheer butter, Dawadawa powder, peanut butter, cashew, cocoa products, machete and footwear.

Source: Ghana News Agency

When was the last time you visited Madina and its surrounding areas? Did you notice the budding trees planted by the main streets or within designated lanes around PRESEC-Legon- Trinity College to UPSA, Madina Zongo- Libya Quarters areas?

They were planted by the youth of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA-youth) with support from’ We-Care’ a Non-Governmental Organization based in North Legon.

Rhetorical questions

Please bear with me as a couple of questions will come your way the first being: is it true that the Mahogany species of Khaya Anthotheca is the national tree of Ghana and this was stated officially in 1959?

Is it also true that the oldest tree in Ghana is the 300-year-old Mpeni Kofi tree located at Akropong? And finally is it true that the biggest tree found in Ghana is the Tieghemella Heckelii tree found near Akim Oda with a diameter of 396 cm (13ft) and a height of 66.5m (218 ft)?

Then it is possible that of the 150,000 trees planted by the OLA-youth and ‘We-Care’, some may grow to challenge the exis
ting records in years or even centuries to come.

Madam Adwoa Broni as she was going around inspecting some trees around the Major Mahama Roundabout at East Airport said her organization saw trees as important as they did not only purify the air and combat climate change or floods but also cool our streets and cities and help ease the mind during stressful times.

She said the value of trees in the country could not be overstated that was why President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo went around planting trees not only on the Green Ghana Day but on other sod-cutting occasions.

SIGNIFICANCE

Trees are vital for our health and total well-being which is why the government has instituted the tree-planting- Green Ghana initiative in 2021- and we do know that in the first year of the implementation of the Green Ghana Day, over 7 million tree seedlings were planted, Madam Broni said, adding that the 2023 edition of Green Ghana Day was held on the theme: Our forests, our health’.

As to what message do you have to encou
rage others to take up the habit of tree planting, Madam Broni said ‘I have a dream and the dream is simple. And it is that every household in the city and vacant lot should be populated with at least some Pawpaw trees. This amazing plant is filled with Vitamin D and its numerous health benefits include the fact that the seeds can be used for intestinal worm treatment’.

More so, she added, ‘we need to strengthen our housing laws and ensure that every house has at least a tree beside the pawpaw to provide shade for the household. This is just like it is done in Burkina Faso where their housing law stipulates that three trees ought to be planted in each house and a mango tree should be part of that three.

Madam Broni explained that we saw the need to plant all the trees one sees by the street side from Madina to Legon, Madina to Pantang and other areas in different cities. Because, the value of trees in society is endless as they provide shade and oxygen, serve as windbreaks, help to protect the soil and ensu
re flood control.

To achieve success in our effort, she said, ‘all our activities are interspersed with praying and singing environmental related songs and we not only visit churches, mosques and other social institutions, but we also offer them free seedlings for planting’.

And out of this Christian environmental interaction, Madam Broni said, ‘We saw a need to institute the Non-Governmental Organisation called ‘We-Care’ and it came out of the efforts of the youth of OLA.

Today, she said, ‘our simple effort now has branches not only in Tamale, Kumasi and Sunyani but even in Benin and Philippines as the effort keeps growing and all we do is to plant trees in schools, public places, alongside streets etc

Purpose of We-Care

The focus of ‘We-Care’ is to ensure a cleaner environment and create awareness of the value of trees in society, more so, we do hold workshops in schools, churches, mosques and even participate in flower shows etc. This is done to encourage the youth to participate in all environmental
and sanitation initiatives.

‘Our main tree nursery is located at North Legon, but we have other nurseries in Sunyani, Kumasi, Volta and Central regions and all in all we have planted over 150, 000 trees and still counting

Challenges

So you did all this without encountering challenges, I enquired.

‘Initially we encountered challenges mainly from some institutions, who were sometimes unwilling to provide the necessary permit for us to plant trees. And this was the situation till the president introduced the tree-planting initiative in 2021.

‘Quite importantly, the basic challenge remains the watering of the seedling trees and stray animals eating the young trees’.

The adoption of the concept of green in many societies all over the world is vital as it means the rejuvenation of resources in the environment such that the needs of future generations are not adversely impacted.

And in all the green development discussions the highlighted components include; resource-saving and management, environmental prote
ction, water conservation and natural disaster prevention, and climate change.

Mr Kofi Taabazuing, an Executive of the OLA-Youth, who was together with Madam Broni at the Major Mahama Roundabout at East Airport, said every church has a goal but we in OLA, our effort is to plant trees in every city and the entire country.

‘We do now have a brass band and this is what we intend to use to help create more awareness in our tree planting efforts.

‘Much as we helped spread the message on the availability of trees to neighbouring households, we also helped to ensure that the trees are watered and protected, Mr Taabazuing added.

Society of African Missions

‘Knowing the entire tree planting initiative was a collaborative effort by the youth of OLA, I had to also contact the chaplain in charge of OLA- Reverend Father Jerome Kofi Aduzoka, Society of African Missions (SMA).

‘We all need to join in the effort to go green. We all need to join the effort to plant trees in our environment because there is a Greek prove
rb states that: ‘A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in, ‘ he said.

Going green helps the environment by reducing the amount of pollution that enters the soil, water and air. More importantly, it is serving as a communal interaction uniting various religious entities in the Madina-Zongo-North Legon area, for a common society goal, he said.

Fr Jerome said various priests from the SMA including Fr Wilmar, Fr Charles, and currently Fr Anthony Didongo, the parish priest of Madina, have all played significant roles in helping ensure the success of the effort.

He said that there were various communities like Haatso, Agbogba, and North Legon around the Legon Botanical Garden, and it was surprising that the tree population outside the gardens were few and in that regard more was expected not only from the youth but from all to help change the situation

And as someone once said, ‘the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now and
don’t hesitate to join the effort’, Fr Jerome said.

Source: Ghana News Agency