Category: General

An Accra High Court hearing the case of Daniel Asiedu aka Sexy Dondon, the man being held over the death of J. B Danquah Adu, a legislator, has been adjourned to April 29.

The matter was adjourned because when Asiedu was brought to court, he told the court that he had not recovered from an illness, and he needed to take his medication at noon.

The trial Judge, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, said the accused person indicated that the said medication was with his doctor, so Prison Officers took him back.

The court, on April 22, 2024, ordered Asiedu to appear today and open his defence in the legislator’s murder trial.

According to the court, it would close the case if the accused person failed to turn up today and open his defence.

Defence counsel had earlier on informed the court that the accused person was unwell hence could not attend court on April 22.

The defence team has also filed a motion praying the court to subpoena some persons before he opens his defence.

The widow of legislator, their house help,
Mr Kenedy Agyepong, and Madam Ursula Owusu- Ekuful, both Members of Parliament, are some of persons the accused person wants to see in Court.

The accused person says the aforementioned people have some vital information to assist the court with.

Asiedu is standing trial for his alleged involvement in the murder of J.B. Danquah Adu at his residence at Shaishie in Accra in February 2016.

He has been charged with robbery and murder of the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North.

Asiedu has pleaded not guilty before a seven-member jury, and he is being kept in lawful custody by the court.

Source: Ghana News Agency

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) to strive for compliance with their mandate and ethical standards.

‘It is imperative we uphold collectively the principles of good corporate governance, which lead to accountability and transparency to safeguard the interest of the state in the management of public enterprises,’ he advised.

By upholding those principles, the nation would be better placed to unlock the full potential of the SOEs as engines of progress and prosperity for all, he said.

President Akufo-Addo was addressing the 2024 Annual Policy and Governance Forum, in Accra.

The event, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises Secretariat, saw the launch of two policy documents to strengthen state ownership policy and adherence to good corporate governance principles.

The agenda is to provide clearly defined objectives for ownership, articulating the establishment of proper systems for managing and assessing the performance of s
tate ownership interest in public enterprises.

The President stated that the government had increased efforts to enhance transparency and accountability, as well as the effective corporate governance and management of state enterprises.

This is to ensure that they deliver on their mandates and contribute to the national economy.

President Akufo-Addo explained that good corporate governance was fundamental to the development of the economy, particularly in the management of public enterprises.

‘Effective corporate governance requires that decision-making processes are fair, equitable and in line with the best interest of the corporation.

‘It demands that all the managements of the SOEs operate in the highest standards of professionalism, guided by ethical principles and commitment. This is required for the sustainable development of the nation,’ he stated.

The President tasked entities which were yet to align themselves to the oversight mechanisms established by the State Interests and Governance Authori
ty (SIGA) to endeavour to do so.

‘I implore you to heed this call with urgency.

‘Your reluctance to comply not only erodes the fabric of transparency and accountability, but also undermines the integrity of our nation’s financial governance framework,’ he cautioned.

It was important that the people reaffirmed their commitment to maximising the benefits of state ownership through effective corporate practices, he stated.

Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of Finance, in a speech read on his behalf, stated that the two policy documents would foster institutional reforms in the operations and management of the SOEs.

The policies would also increase operational efficiencies to guarantee enterprises made a major contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and economic growth.

Mr. John Boadu, the acting executive director of SIGA, explained that the SOEs were enjoined to uphold professionalism, integrity and accountability in their work for sustainable growth.

Consequently, they should adhere to
the code of governance specified in the two policy documents launched to enhance their performance.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Commonwealth of Dominica has reaffirmed its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over all its territory, including the Moroccan Sahara.

This position was expressed in a Joint Communiqué issued following talks between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Vince Henderson.

In this Joint Communiqué, Henderson reiterated his country’s support for the Autonomy Plan, presented by Morocco in 2007, as the only credible, serious, and realistic solution for resolving the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.

In this regard, he praised the efforts of the United Nations as the exclusive framework for achieving a realistic, practical, and lasting solution to this regional dispute.

As a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Commonwealth of Dominica welcomed the opening of an OECS Emb
assy in Rabat on October 18, 2018 and a Consulate General in Dakhla on March 31, 2022.

This certainly represented a great opportunity to further consolidate bilateral exchanges between the Kingdom of Morocco and the six Eastern Caribbean States, the Communiqué emphasizes.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A joint military-police taskforce has forcefully evicted onion sellers at Kwadaso and relocated to a new place in the municipality to transact their business.

The forceful eviction became necessary after the traders resisted several directives by the Ashanti Regional Security Council (RESEC) to move to the new place earmarked for them.

The Ashanti Regional Security Council (RESEC) had served several notices on the traders to relocate to a new convenient place which had been allocated to them to conduct their business activities.

The Council, in a statement, cited security risk of motorists, pedestrians and traders and heavy vehicular traffic during peak hours as the reasons for the market’s relocation.

Under the supervision of the joint taskforce, the entire market structure accommodating over 2000 traders was brought down.

Some of the traders who spoke with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview expressed concern that the new marketplace was inadequate to contain all the traders.

Yakubu Sani, a tr
ader confirmed to the GNA that they had been served eviction notices on countless occasions, but they kept adamant because of the inadequacy of the new place.

‘We have been served with notices of eviction on countless occasions, but the reasons attached with the eviction are not tangible enough for us to move.

Also, where we are being located will witness the same situation in the few months to come when we all finally settle there, because of the space allocated to us, he observed.

Madam Yaa Brago, also a trader said ‘we are not saying we will not relocate, but the issue at hand is that the place is too small to contain all of us.

The new place is likely to pose the same traffic congestion as the Regional Security Council is complaining about.’

Whiles some of the onion traders have agreed to move to the new marketplace to secure their trading spot, others are bent on trading along the shoulders of the road.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr. Shadrach Abrefa Mensa, the Bono Regional Director of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has stated that the significant impact of the Agency’s modules was to support the aspirations of the youth and contribute to their personal and professional development.

He mentioned that over 3,800 young persons were currently benefiting from a variety of YEA modules in the Bono Region.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, Mr. Abrefa Mensa highlighted that approximately 700 youths were actively involved as Community Protection Assistant, while 60 were serving as Community Prison Officers’ Assistants at the Sunyani Central Prisons.

He said 345 individuals were actively serving as Community Health Workers, helping at Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds and other health facilities, additionally, 2,000 individuals were involved in the Youth in Waste and Sanitation module.

Under the Youth in Apparel and Textile module, Mr. Abrefa Mensa said 15 people had received funding of ab
out GHc 20,000 each to support the training of 50 other young people.

He added that the Youth in Trades and Vocation module currently had 420 young individuals undergoing specialized training to develop skills in various fields such as metal works, aluminum fabrication, auto mechanics, hairdressing, beauty care and masonry.

He said during the skill training programme, all beneficiaries would receive certification from the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) after completing the six Months training.

Mr. Abrefa Mensa highlighted the Business and Employment Assistant programme, which the region was fortunate to be part of during its pilot phase, saying 50 companies would participate in this programme with each having two beneficiaries, who would receive a stipend of GHC 500 to supplement their income.

This initiative aims to support employers by providing financial assistance to the beneficiaries, thereby reducing the burden on employers, and encouraging them to hire more workers.

Mr. Abr
efa Mensa emphasized that the YEA provided a Monthly stipend of GHS 500 to all beneficiaries across its different modules, indicating the stipend was intended to cover transportation costs and other expenses.

He then commended the YEA management for distributing 30 motorbikes to the region to support the districts in their monitoring activities to enhance their monitoring operations.

Source: Ghana News Agency

General Lance Corporal Solomon Tetteh of the Central Regional Police Patrol Team was killed on Monday when a vehicle collided with the police car, he and his colleagues were in.

The deceased, General Corporal Michael Darasam, and General Constable Nashiru Musah all sustained injuries after falling from the vehicle.

They were rushed to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital for treatment, but Tetteh died.

According to a police report, the suspect driver fled the scene of the accident and is currently being sought.

The report said on Monday, April 22, 2024, at about 1145 hours, the Police in Ojobi received information regarding an accident involving four vehicles at Akotsi Junction.

Following the information, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Samuel Asante, District Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department, and his officers went to the location to investigate.

The investigation revealed that a KIA Rhino truck with the trading number GX4135-20 coming from Akraman to Ojobi collided wi
th a Nissan Navara pickup with the registration number GT3174 Z at the Akotsi intersection on the main Kasoa-Winneba highway.

The KIA truck driver drove about 30 meters into the Akotsi-Ojobi road and collided with another Nissan Urvan bus before crashing into the Regional Operation Patrol team vehicle that was carrying a seven-man squad.

The suspect driver then dragged the Police Service vehicle with the registration number GP 483 over 22 metres before entering a nearby metal container, where the three police officers fell off.

The vehicles involved in the accident have been impounded for investigation, testing, and subsequent action.

Source: Ghana News Agency