Sammy Awuku asks- President wasted fuel and state resources just to go and buy a ball of kenkey?

Deputy Communications Director of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Sammy Awuku, insists a ball of kenkey is sold at One cedi citing places such as Tema Community 11, Community 2, and Taifa Station as evidence to his claims in support of the previous assertion that prices of kenkey have increased from 50p to GHC 1.

He described President Mills’ unforeseen visit to the three market places as just a stunt to crave attention.

“I think the President from what he is saying and from the understanding that I have, he moved the whole state machinery about fifteen cars in a convoy with state apparatus; security, just to go and buy a ball of kenkey. So, we wasted fuel [there] to go buy kenkey.” he stressed.

Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akomea, had alluded to a report by the Ghana News Agency that the prices of kenkey have soared and accused the governing party of being insensitive to the plight of the Ghanaian citizenry.

As though to rebut the claims by Nana Akomea, President John Mills on Tuesday toured some market places in Accra to assess the severe living conditions of sellers in the country.

President Mills visited Maamobi and Mallam Atta markets to interact with the food vendors and proceeded to the Nima market where he interacted with the vendors and purchased some balls of kenkey at 40 and 50 pesewas respectively.

Spokesperson for the President, Koku Anyidoho, explaining the purport of the Presidential visit told Citi News that “Some people, especially Nana Akomea in recent times have been playing kenkey politics and claiming that a ball of kenkey is now selling at GhC1, but here we are and the answer is a big no, President Mills wanted to ascertain for himself the actual price of kenkey and the answer is a big no. So shame to Nana Akomea and his kenkey politics.”

He indicated that “The President decided to step out of the Castle today [Tuesday] and visited the markets and I’m sure we all got caught up in the frenzy. It is just to touch base and he got the mandate of the market women in 2008 and he assured them that if given the chance things will move in the right direction.

He is the first to admit that he hasn’t achieved everything.”

However, Sammy Awuku told Xfm 95.1 in an interview that 50 pesewas does not reflect the size of the kenkey because its size has dwindled into a lime-like ball.

“Yes, there is 50 pesewas one but it looks like that of lime.” he asserted.

He opined that a ‘by-day’ person would not be satisfied with the small-size kenkey and therefore advised the government to resolve the pressing needs of Ghanaians.

Meanwhile, a kenkey vendor who sells her kenkey at 50p says though she is aware of the GHC 1 increment in the prices of kenkey, the price of her kenkey remains the same in order to attract more customers.

According to her, shooting up the price would prevent her patrons and cripple the kenkey business.

She said a bag of maize sells between GHC 150 and GHC 160 indicating an increase but prefers to maintain the price of her kenkey at 50p to benefit her customers and increase her yield.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana

CID Invites former Youth and Sports Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo for questioning

Former Minister of Education and Sports, Yaw Osafo Maafo, is currently at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Police Service to answer questions relating to the payment of GHC 52 million as judgment debt to businessman Alfred Woyome.

Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo arrived at the Police Headquarters around 12pm to aid investigations into the judgment debt scandal. His invitation follows the arrest of a Member of Parliament for Aburi-Nsawam, O.B Amoah.

The MP, who is also the former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, was arrested last Sunday for his involvement in the Woyome saga but was later released on Monday on a GHC 20 million bail with two sureties. He was charged with causing financial loss to the state.

The Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party, Sammy Awuku, confirmed to X fm news crew that Mr. Osafo Maafo was invited by the CID early this afternoon but said the minority caucus are yet to find out the reason for the invitation.

He said the minority were informed after Mr. Osafo Maafo honoured the invitation to the Criminal Investigations Department and are therefore yet to be abreast of the issues leading to the appearance of Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo before the CID.

Mr. Osafo Maafo was cited in the interim report by the Economic and Organized Crimes Office (EOCO) for his alleged role in facilitating the judgment debt payment to Alfred Woyome who is said to have no contract with the state for the establishment of five stadia during the CAN 2008.

The EOCO report read that “However, he was the same person, who knowing that it was illegal to terminate the process at the stage it had reached, went ahead and wrote terminating it. It is yet to be fully established, however, whether it was Cabinet, which in spite of being warned about the illegality of the act or abrogating the tender process, ordered the abrogation. ”

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana

Twenty Thousand Boreholes Are To Be Constructed In Rural Communities- Pres John Mills

Over forty million barrels of water are expected to be distributed to various communities in Accra and Tema to improve the water system in the country.

Government seeks to expand and complete the Kpong water project very soon to ease the water situation besetting the economy.

This was disclosed in the fourth State of the Nation address in Parliament on Thursday, February 16, by President John Evans Atta Mills.

President Mills in his address said government is committed to resolving the water shortages in the country and has established several water facilities to rejuvenate the country’s water system.

He assured Ghanaians of his support to enhance water supply to communities from 62 percent to 80 percent by the year 2015. This he said will ameliorate the water problems confronting the country.

President Mills noted that, in fulfilling the manifesto promise by government, over 100 boreholes have been established to supply water to rural areas.

He also stated that he has given directives to the Ministry of Water, Works and Housing to construct 20000 boreholes in deprived communities in the next four years.

“The government has absolved the five percent contribution by rural communities towards the capital cost of constructing water in rural communities.” the President said.

Addressing the nation at Parliament yesterday, President Mills also indicated that 2176 megawatts of electrical power have been supplied to communities to boost electricity across several regions of the country.

According to him, Ex-President Kufour secured 1800 megawatts of electricity to increase the electrical capacity in the country but additional 376 megawatts were created to expedite the supply of electricity to communities.

The President mentioned the expansion of the Takoradi International Company, the Kpong and Bui dams as some projects the government is undertaking to increase electricity supply in the nation.

He noted that “the national electricity transmission system that we came to meet had a lot of problems; problems relating to obsolete equipment, the overloads, high losses and the like. There is no doubt that since our assumption of office, we have improved upon the situation.”

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana

President Mills touts his achievements in the agricultural sector, says his performance since three years is incomparable.

Several agricultural mechanization centers have been rehabilitated to boost productivity in the agricultural sector, President J.E Atta Mills said during his fourth State of the Nation address at Parliament today.

Government has established a number of farming facilities in various deprived communities to enhance agriculture in the country and ensure farmers experience a major boost during harvest.

Addressing the entire nation on the floor of Parliament this morning, President Mills disclosed that the government has over the years supplied some sophisticated farm implements such as rice combine harvesters and maize harvesters to farmers to strengthen the sector.

Touting the achievements of government in his three years of administration, President Mills stressed that the government has revamped the cotton industry to increase the production of cotton in the country. This he says is government’s intervention to safeguard cotton farmers against any harsh conditions.

President Mills was confident “cotton farmers in the three northern regions will attest to the fact that there has been a revival of the cotton industry and government has also made the necessary intervention which has resulted in an increase in cotton production.”

The President added that under his administration, the first phase of 11000-hectare irrigation project in Accra has been completed and several irrigation dams between 2009 and 2011 have been established to ease the work of farmers in the country.

President John Mills commended his government for achieving an enormous success in the production of cocoa in the country. He emphasized that one million tons of cocoa have been produced as at 2009 as compared to the 600 tons of cocoa by the previous government, the first ever in the annals of the nation’s history.

“For the first time in the history of this country, we produced more than one million tonnes of cocoa in 2011.” he underscored.

He added the government has achieved a 50% output in cocoa production since last year and has outperformed previous governments.

He further said that 80% of the world market price which stood at 2450 dollars in January 2012 has been paid to farmers for the sustenance of the agricultural sector. He continued that a new Shea nut industry has been established in Buipe, Northern Region, to churn in large quantities Shea butter for exports to enhance productivity.

The newly established Shea nut industry will produce 40000 tons of Shea nut per year.
Government has also partnered the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to launch a six-year cocoa replanting programme which will create more job opportunities for prospective farmers.

“Madam Speaker, government through COCOBOD has launched a six-year cocoa replanting programme to rehabilitate old cocoa farms. The programme entails the production of a neat cocoa hybrid seedlings for planting.One of the objectives is to offer employment opportunities to young men in the cocoa growing areas throughout the period of the programme and also to enable them acquire skills and technics for cocoa production. Another objective is to encourage under-producing farmers to increase their acreage and their yield.” President said before the house.

President Mills also touched on the fishing sector as he revealed that government has acquired fishing boats to improve the fishery sector and also improve the livelihood of fishers in the country.

He called for strict enforcement of the fishing regulations to guide fishers and further stated that a Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Plan will soon be drawn to administer the activities of the occupants in the fishing sector.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana

Kwesi Pratt calls for stiffer punishment on corrupt government officials

Social Democrat, Kwesi Pratt, has urged government to pass into law the Freedom of Information bill to check the high rate of corruption in the country.

He emphasized that the Freedom of Information bill when implemented, will dampen the corrupt practices crippling the economy.

Outspoken Kwesi Pratt, a member of the Committee for Joint Action, has been cautioning agencies, public officials and the entire nation against corruption and therefore charged persons to ensure a corruption-free society.

He explained that the Information bill serves as a yardstick to impel governing entities to publicly account for their activities and called for a quick enactment of the bill.

“The Freedom of Information bill needs to be passed as quickly as possible in order for people to have access to efficient information and so on.” he advocated.

Speaking exclusively to Xfm 95.1, Kwesi Pratt criticized the previous Kufour regime for engaging in a passive campaign to combat corruption as according to him, the Kufour-led government did little to avert the corruptible practices that characterized his administration.

He alluded to the Ghana at 50 celebrations where top government officials of the opposition NPP were accused of financial misappropriation saying there were clear indications of corruption but the accused persons have been left off the hook.

He blamed the society for government’s failure to press charges against the accused persons of the Ghana at 50 probe stressing that the society must lay down strict measures to curtail the plague of corruption.

“This is something for which the society needs to be blamed. We haven’t put in place laws that are stringent enough, laws that emphasize the truth rather than technicalities and so on.”

Touching on the way forward to curb corruption in the country, he said court ruling to sentence culprits to prison is not enough punishment but demanded a much more severe penalty for the culpable persons.

He said persons accused of financial misappropriation and embezzlement should not only be given a jail term but compelled to refund the monies. This he believes will deter people from engaging in corrupt practices and therefore rid the nation of a recurrence of this menace.

To him, “corruption is corruption whether it is carried out by NDC members or NPP members and corruption has no political colour. So, everybody who has been corrupt needs to suffer the full consequences. Indeed, in talking about corruption cases and so on, I am more interested in retrieving what has been stolen rather than giving people jail sentences and so on…it doesn’t work. I mean if somebody stole five million dollars and went to prison for ten years. That’s not punishment at all because in one’s whole lifetime, one could not get ten million dollars [you understand]. So if you steal and all your punishment is to go to prison for five years, it’s an encouragement for people to steal; they come back rich, they will never suffer any consequence involved. So, that is not a sufficient deterrent, I believe that we should try and make the effort to retrieve what has been stolen, what has been embezzled or what has been misappropriated. It’s important to do that.”

He lauded the Mills administration for taking the necessary steps against public officials who misconduct themselves citing that the dismissal of the former Attorney General, Martin Amidu and resignation by former Education Minister, Betty Mould Iddrisu, who have been indicted in the infamous Woyome judgment debt as a catalyst to resolving the issue of corruption in the nation.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana

Dr Kwabena Adjei's letter long overdue; but good for the NDC-Yammin

Ashanti Regional General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Joseph Yamin, says the recent letter by Dr. Kwabena Agyei to convene the leadership of the party will fortify the party as it gears towards the general elections.

He said that though the letter is belated, the meeting is long overdue since the divisiveness in the party is a major setback for the NDC. He explained that the letter should have been written before the inception of the Mills-led government, to avert the disputes within the party.

“I have to admit that this message has come far too late. Some of us were of the view that this particular letter should have been written some time back [long time] if not before congress. But it’s better late than never, so if indeed that purported meeting could come on; then I think that it will be good for the NDC.”, he highlighted.

He suggested that the delay by the President and leader of the party to convey the said meeting could stem from the frequent absence of the two leaders –President John Mills and founder, former President Rawlings- and therefore vindicates the Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Agyei.

He opined that “there could be reasons why maybe this meeting hasn’t come on as at now. And you can attribute it [maybe], I’m not holding this for my national chairman but at least we are all aware that his Excellency the founder of our party was out of this country, at least he’s been out of this country within the past two weeks and then his Excellency the President also returned somewhere last week. So, you could attribute it to their absence in the country, to the cause of the meeting not coming on. But again I may not have the full details as to why this meeting hasn’t come off as at now but I think that if it should come off, then it will be a good thing for us.”

The Chairman of the NDC, Dr. Kwabena Agyei, on January 10, 2012 addressed a letter to the Presidency and a copy to former President Rawlings summoning them for an urgent meeting to avoid any obstructions that can potentially mar the chances of the party in the looming elections.

The strong worded letter raised grave concerns about the survival of the party and the fear of a defeat during the general elections.

A portion of the letter read: "However, most party members do not think and feel that they have so far had that political space for which they dedicated their times, energy and resources during the 2008 electioneering campaign. Indeed, my impression is that most of our party members do not even feel that they belong to party they aggressively defend. As a person who, without resources, contributed greatly to our electoral victory all I have deserved are abuse, character assassination, blocking of my efforts and physical threats to my person."

Dr. Agyei further delineated that "In all honesty, I cannot personally hide the fact that I have reached the limit of my patience and tolerance. Indeed, I can no longer put up with the on-going and well-known divisive machinations and schemes that threaten to wreck the party’s very survival and my person as the popularly elected Chairman.”

The issues broached by the party Chairman attracted harsh comments from a Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo, Michael Teye Nyaunu, who rubbished the essence of the letter but Mr. Yammin is optimistic the meeting will build a united front for the NDC.

He emphasized that the “family meeting” is an appropriate means to debar the recurrence of the infighting within the party.

Meanwhile, President Mills reacting to the leaked letter from the NDC Chairman has assured the party functionaries of victory in the impending elections.

Deputy Minister of Information, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, issued a statement on Wednesday in Accra on behalf of the President, which hinted that President Mills fleetly responded to the letter and held a meeting with the party Chairman to iron out the issues.

The statement further stated that "It is not clear what the motive of whoever leaked this letter to the press is, but President Mills wishes to assure all Ghanaians especially members of the NDC that there is no cause for alarm and that as leader of the NDC he will continue to work in the best interest of our great nation and our dear party."

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana

Deputy Agric Minister chides TUC over threat to demonstrate against fuel price hikes

A Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Member of Parliament for La Dade Kotopon, Hon. Nii Amasa, has chided the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the recent fuel price hikes in the country. He says the authorities of the Trade Union Congress lay dormant even when there was every indication that the fuel prices would be increased.

He explained that if the Trade Union Congress had intervened early, there would have been a marginal decrease in the prices of fuel products and transport fares. He further expressed his resentment over the uproar from the union for government to restore the subsidies on fuel.

Prices of petroleum products together with transport fares increased last year following the directives by the governing party. Subsidies on fuel were removed and prices shot up by 20%.

The Trade Union Congress negotiated with government for the restoration of the fuel subsidies to cushion Ghanaians against the harsh conditions of living. Members of the union threatened to embark on a nationwide demonstration if the fuel prices are not drastically reduced. Upon further negotiations with government agencies, the Trade Union’s call seems to yield fruit as the government has agreed to slash the fuel price increases by 20%.

Though several Ghanaians would be pleased with the sudden intervention by the TUC, the Chairman of the Road Coordination Council, Matthew Hayford, has frantically hinted that transport fares are unlikely to be reduced.

According to the Chairman, the price reduction of petroleum products will not affect the high margin in transport fares.

Hon. Nii Amasa who spoke to X fm on the Big Bite show on Tuesday lauded the government for the initial fuel price increment stressing that the nation will be devoid of any future fuel complications.

He said that TUC’s call on the government to reduce fuel prices stemmed from the recent upheaval in Nigeria. He therefore insisted that no action would have been taken against the government if the Nigerian citizenry had not fiercely protested against the fuel price hikes in their country.

“The TUC was in Ghana here when the transport fares were increased. They sat down, they said nothing; did nothing at that time until Nigeria started demonstration. So, when they saw the Nigeria spring [I will use that word], then they said that: Oh, why are we sitting down? Let us also do something because before all these things, there will be consultations here and there. So, [me] I see the Ghana TUC as a lame dog, they follow what other people will be doing.”

He wondered why the TUC did not act similarly during the previous administration by former President Kufour. To him, under the Kufour-led government, fuel price increases were astronomical but the posture of the TUC was indifferent as compared to President Mills’ administration.

He added that the TUC seeks to coerce the government due to their political affiliations and biases.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana

Calls for Woyome’s release are mere gimmick- Owusu Bempah

Ernest Owusu Bempah, Operations Director of Friends for Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings (FONKAR), says businessman and self-acclaimed NDC financier, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, has committed a heinous crime and does not deserve any public uproar.

To him, his actions are unjustifiable and wondered why some people would come to his defence.

He took a swipe at the Free Woyome Campaign Movement, a group seeking the release of Alfred Woyome, saying their protest has no merits and therefore called their bluff a mere "gimmick".

“As for those people, who are demonstrating, I mean it’s a gimmick if I may put it in that way; it’s a gimmick. And it’s absolutely beyond the bounds of human reasoning for [people] somebody to cause a heinous crime like this to the people of Ghana and a group of people; I don’t know whether they are being influenced here and there by some group of people, maybe some folks somewhere. It’s something that is unheard-of that the whole nation is talking about it and then people will just be going to show solidarity to Alfred Woyome.”, he stressed.

He dismissed any calls on the governing party to release the businessman stressing that Mr. Woyome's role in the judgment debt scandal cannot be condoned.

Ernest Owusu Bempah further issued a 7-day ultimatum to government to arrest the former Minister of Education, Betty Mould Iddrisu and Deputy Attorney General, Ebo Barton-Odro, for their involvement in the controversial judgment debt payment.

According to him, he smells a rat in the judgment debt deal and is calling for the heads of these officials and anyone who is indicted in the judgment debt saga.

He indicted Hon. Betty Mould and the Deputy Attorney General for complicity in the payment of a whooping sum of money to the NDC financier and should be apprehended for interrogation.

He asserted that “Betty Mould Iddrisu, the then Attorney General of the republic of Ghana [it’s part of it], Ebo Barton-Odro. They need to call those people, arrest them, investigate the issue and come out so that the whole nation will know what is happening.”

President Mills last Friday ordered for the arrest of Alfred Agbesi Woyome following an interim report delivered to him by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO). The Economic and Organized Crime Office was tasked to investigate the judgment debt payment of GHC 52 million to the NDC financier which later presented an interim report to the Presidency on February 2, 2011.

The report stated that Alfred Woyome had no basis for making claims for the stipulated amount which was accorded him as judgment debt.

Alfred Woyome was arrested last Friday and sent to the Police Headquarters for further interrogation.

Chief State Attorney, Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh, was also arrested for his role in the judgment debt scandal.

Ernest Owusu expressed confidence in President Mills but advised that punitive measures should be meted out to the indicted officials; otherwise the President will “rewrite his own political obituary.”

He made a frantic call for Mr. Woyome to be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Free Woyome Campaign Movement, David Tamakloe, says the arrest and detention of Alfred Woyome is unfair and therefore calls for his release.

He spoke to Xfm on the Big Bite morning show.

David Tamakloe explained that President Mills’ directive to arrest the chief suspect in the judgment debt fraud is a breach of the constitution and an infringement on his rights.

He suspiciously emphasized that the governing party has sidelined Alfred Woyome for political gains and therefore doubted the justification of the arrest last Friday.

He bemoaned the action by the police personnel to arrest and detain the businessman and therefore called for the head of every government official indicted in the judgment debt to roll.

He said if the President really upholds the rule of law, then all judgment debts should be investigated since President Mills vowed to ensure a thorough investigation is done and culprits arraigned before court.

He added that the continual detention violates the rights of Mr. Woyome and implored all Ghanaians to join the group’s campaign.

He further asked President Mills to order for an immediate release of Alfred Woyome.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana

Yaw Osafo Marfo, O B Amoah cannot be arrested or prosecuted- Egbert Faibille

A legal practitioner, Egbert Faibille, says the interim report by the Economic and Organized Crime Office to the Presidency makes no new additions to the claims already raised by the New Patriotic Party concerning the judgment debt payment to bankroller and NDC Financier Alfred Agbesi Woyome.

The Economic and Organized Crime Office on Thursday presented an interim report to President John Evans Atta Mills, indicting some current and past government officials for sheer negligence and complicity leading to the payment of a gargantuan sum of money to Mr. Woyome.

The report further stated that President Mills twice intervened to stop the payment but twice his directives were flouted which resulted in the sequence of payment of a whooping GHC 52 million as judgment debt.

The Director of EOCO, Mordey Akpadzi, also disclosed that the negligence of some government officials, both present and past, gave rise to this topical situation. He stressed that the claims by the NDC Financier for the payment of the said amount were unjustifiable and had no merit.

Reacting to the understated revelations in the EOCO report, Lawyer Egbert Faibille said the report has “crystalized into the largest single most corrupt event” and called on the governing party to ensure the indicted government officials face the rigors of the law.

“The time is very apt for President Mills to really cut the whip and ensure that the interest of the ordinary tax payer, the interest of the Ghanaian child…the interest of these people and all of us has to be taken into cognizance by the President and he ought to just order the immediate arrest and prosecution of a number of persons who have clearly clearly brought about this unfortunate and avoidable development in the nation’s history.”

Though unconfirmed reports indicate that government officials under President Kufour's administration, Mr. Yaw Osafo Marfo, O.B Amoah and Dr. Kofi Amoah, might be arrested on the recent development in the controversial judgment debt payment, according to him, the abrogation of the contract to Mr. Woyome to construct the five stadia vindicates the previous officials.

To him, if Mr. Yaw Osafo Marfo, then Minister of Youth and Sports, under whose administration the contract was abrogated, had awarded the contract to Alfred Woyome but refrained from paying the money; then he (Yaw Osafo Marfo) could have been held liable.

“I think that the EOCO report in as far as it has made certain findings, yes, it’s welcome but if you ask me about whether there is linkage to certain former officials; not to seek to cover any body because any citizen of this republic who is done wrong ought to answer. But really if you mention Yaw Osafo Marfo and all the rest of those people, what have they done? In one breath, the EOCO report says that Woyome has no case against the government or the state. So the question then that should follow is that: Who paid him the money? Then he answers that question that it is A, B and C who paid him, then you hold those people responsible.”

“Otherwise the only time you can bring Osafo Marfo’s name into all of this is that if Woyome had gone to court or VAMED or any of the companies who exhibited contact with the government of Ghana had gone to court and won a proper judgment to the effect that the termination of the contract was wrong. And then based on that, the government of Ghana should…pay so much money, then when the government has paid it; then you come back to Osafo Marfo and say well because of your action, we have had to go to court and have ought [and] [to] paid this sum of money, so then come and then answer for your actions or inactions. But then, in this instance, you say that Woyome did not deserve the money.So if Woyome did not deserve the money, then who allowed Woyome to get the money?” he rhetorically asked.

He added that the former Attorney General, Betty Mould Iddrisu, under whose authority the money was disbursed, should be indicted for complicity in the Woyome saga.

He advised President John Mills to act quickly on the EOCO report and ensure those complicit are brought to book.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana

Pres Mills cannot absolve himself; he was aware of the debt-Jake Obetsebi Lamptey

The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, says President John Mills cannot absolve himself from the Woyome judgment debt payment since it is under his administration, the monies were disbursed to stalwart Alfred Woyome.

He charged the Presidency with complicity in the payment of GHC51, 283,480.59 as judgment debt to the acclaimed NDC financier, Alfred Woyome.

Based on the Attorney General’s report to the Finance Ministry, he said the Presidency was given prior notice before the payment of the said amount and as a result, the governing party should be held liable.

He said President Mills cannot exonerate himself from the chain of actions that led to the payment of the judgment debt.

“His Excellency the President told us that he will not be criminal enough to pay such money to one individual. At the end of the day, we have said that this money was paid; the Auditor General has said that the monies were paid. Who paid the money? The Government of Ghana,Who is responsible for the government of Ghana? The President; therefore, whose responsibility is it that the money was paid? The President. Therefore…if it was criminal to pay Mr. Woyome this amount of money, Mr. President must look in the mirror when he is looking for who is at fault.”, he asserted.

He added that the “criminal negligence” of the Mills’ administration has intensified the brouhaha surrounding the judgment debt payment to Mr. Woyome and that the President should have issued a stern warning to the parties who facilitated the debt payment.

To him, the “court of conscience, court of law and court of opinion” will judge the President and that it is “impossible” for President Mills to deny full cognizance of the judgment debt depending on the report by the Economic and Organized Crime Office which stated that he (President Mills) on two occasions intervened to stop the payment to the business tycoon.

He said President John Mills should have debriefed the Attorney General, Betty Mould Iddrisu and Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Dufour, after the payment was made.

Jake Obetsebi was speaking on the Eyewitness News on Citi Fm.

Speaking in an interview with the hostess, Shamima Muslim, the NPP National Chairman reiterated that a public inquiry should be held into the saga and therefore called on the government to set up a Parliamentary commission of inquiry.

He said EOCO’s report to the office of the President does not give a detailed account of the judgment debt payment and therefore called for the involvement of Parliament to make the truth known.

“I think what the EOCO has done is they’ve just put out some of the matters into the public light. There’s a lot more that needs to be exposed; this matter was made before parliament by the Auditor General in his report. It is parliament that has to do the full investigation. I hope that parliament will take this report and use it for its own investigation but this must not be the end. Parliament must go ahead and do the full investigation for the people of Ghana to be able to see everything that [is] connected to the matter.”

Touching on the termination of contract by the previous government to the consortium; Waterville, Austro-Invest and bankroller Alfred Woyome, to construct five stadia towards the CAN 2008, he asked why a lawsuit was not filed against the Kufour-led government.

He further explained that former President Kufour’s administration resisted the temptation to disburse huge sums of money as judgment debt and correspondingly safeguarded the economy against any form of financial misappropriation.

“A number of claims were made against government of Ghana during the period of the NPP government, claims of termination of contracts…and a number of other companies who felt that they have been mistreated by the previous government and that with a change of government, they thought that they can very easily come in and get sums of money...”

“Under present J.A Kufour, we resisted those claims. We resisted them…we were able to save the country millions[millions] of euros because our arbitration said 1 million instead of 50 million should be paid to the claimant.”, he highlighted.

He admonished the governing party to bring to book the culpable persons in the Woyome judgment debt chronicle and the monies should be recouped from them.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana.

Okyeame Kwame makes a case for local coaches

Hip life musician, Kwame Nsiah-Appau, otherwise known as Okyeame Kwame, has for the first time put down his microphone to talk football.

Okyeame Kwame, who prides himself as the Rap Doctor, is calling on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to give local coaches the chance to head the Black Stars team.

He resented the perception that local coaches are incompetent to handle the Black Stars to ensure victory for the team. He expressed disappointment about the manner in which coaches in the country are abandoned for foreign coaches, especially at the national level.

Okyeame Kwame cited the Under 20 World Cup in Egypt which saw Ghana take home the trophy with a local coach; a justification that the Local coaches are equally up to the task.

Award Winning coach, Selas Tetteh, broke the silence about the unprofessionalism of the local coaches when he secured victory for the Black Meteors in the Under 20 World Cup in 2009.

He became the first Ghanaian-African coach to attain the top spot in the Under 20 World Cup.

It is on this premise that Okyeame Kwame asserted the local coaches will best manage the national team and called for an opportunity to be created for them.

He emphasized that “because of the whole Ghanaian-ness” of the coaches and their “willingness to make a point”, the Black Stars would have won the trophies during the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

Though he wouldn’t underrate the prowess of the foreign coaches, he stated that with proper orientation and recognition by the Ghana Football Association, the local coaches will become the bedrock of the national teams.

Touching on the match between Ghana and Guinea in the African Nations Cup on Wednesday, he advised players against complacency hoping that they will improve in the subsequent matches.

He commended the players for qualifying to the quarter finals and was optimistic the Stars will emerge as champions in the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana

…FROM: ATTORNEY-GENERAL, BETTY MOULD-IDDRISU TO: FINANCE MINISTER, KWABENA DUFFUOR

The Hon. Minister
Minister of Finance & Economic Planning
Ministries, Accra


Attn: Dr. Kwabena Duffour

SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS INVOLVING THE REHABILITATION OF THE OHENE DJAN, BABA YARA AND EL WAK SPORTS STADIA

This is in response to your letter dated 12th April, 2009.

In that letter, you stated that Austro-Invest by its letter dated 16th February 2010 indicated that it is prepared to accept one percent (1%) of the total value of the project as compensation and that Austro-Invest had agreed with Mr. Alfred Woyome for the amount to be divided between them.

You also stated that you have a copy of a petition by Mr. Woyome in which be makes a claim for two percent (2%) of the total value of the project, to be shared between Mr. Woyome and Austro-Invest.

Furthermore, you indicated that your Accounts Office require clarity and evidence on the supporting documentation with regard to whether the claim is being made by the consortium that won the bid to conduct the financial engineering led by Mr. Woyome, jointly or separately.

Further to a Ministry of Finance letter dated 4th May 2005, Mr. Woyome made arrangements for the grant of concessional loans for the rehabilitation of the Ohene Djan and Baba Yara stadia and the construction of three others for the Ghana 2008 football tournament, the construction of six (6) hospitals and the Cobait to Irradiation Plant among others.

Mr. Woyome’s role in project financial engineering is further evidenced by the letter from the Ministry of Education and Sports dated 5th July 2005 and an earlier letter from the then Minister for Environment and Science, Prof. Kasim Kasanga dated 28th October 2004. In addition, Mr. Woyome together with Waterville set up offices in Vienna, Austria and Washington D.C. Italy and Switzerland as part of the project financial engineering work for the projects in Ghana (copies of letters attached).

It can be seen from the available documentation that Mr. Woyome, as Alternate Director of M-Powapak at the time, acted as the principal party in discussions with government officials to facilitate the financial engineering of the projects.

Mr. Woyome then entered into an agreement with Austro-Invest on 1st September 2005 (copy attached) in which the Parties agreed to formalize their collaboration into a working business relationship for their mutual and common benefit. The agreement provided that Austro-Invest shall offer service relating to syndication of funds from financial institutions as part of the financial structuring and acquisition of projects by Mr. Woyome. The Parties also agreed that Mr. Woyome will pay Austro-Invest up to 15% of the total amount syndicated. This figure was subsequently negotiated downwards to 1% for Austro-Invest in the 16th February 2010 agreement.

Mr. Woyome’s role, as district from Austro-Invest’s role which was mainly for the syndication of funds, is further evidenced by correspondences with international financial institutions such as the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Final Demand Letter of J. Michael Farrell, a Washington-based lawyer, who worked on Mr. Woyome’s instructions in respect of a contract involving Austro-Invest (copy of Demand Letter attached). Mr. Michael Farrell has recently threatened to institute legal action against Mr. Woyome and the Government of Ghana for non-payment of legal fees relating to his work for Mr. Woyome (copy attached).

Mr. Woyome has on 19th April 2010 also instituted a civil action against the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Finance to compel the Government of Ghana to pay him GH¢41,811,480.59 being the cost of financial engineering owed to him, interest on the said sum from September 2006 till date of payment and genera damages for the inconvenience suffered by him for the delay in paying the financial engineering fees.

I wish to state therefore that the claim for the payment of two percent (2%) of the total value of the project was made by Mr. Alfred Woyome and Austro-Invest jointly and severally. Mr. Woyome’s claim is for one percent (1%) of the total value of the project engineering fees whilst the claim for Austro-Invest is also for compensation of one percent (1%) of the total value of the project financial engineering fees.

I wish to repeat here that the two percent (2%) that I recommended should be paid Mr. Woyome and Austro-Invest jointly and severally, but in the name of Mr. Woyome in accordance with their agreement of 16th February 2010, was arrived at through negotiations with Mr. Woyome. It is hoped that settlement of this matter through negotiations will forestall the legal action and the huge financial costs that will be incurred as a result of the payment of interest and damages.

Mr. Woyome, by his petition dated 18th February had indicated that the normal percentage charged for such project financial engineering is four percent (4%), but it was negotiated down to two percent (2%) by Government. I requested for the input of the Building Industry Consultants Limited, Mr. Magnus Rex Danquah and the Ministry of Finance to enable me make an informed decision with regard to what should be paid as compensation. It was based on the information received that I gave the opinion dated 31st March 2010 and the subsequent opinion dated 11th April 2010.

It will be recalled that the claim is for project financial engineering fees by Mr. Woyome and Austro-Invest. The financial arrangements were made in respect of the concurrent approval given by the Central Tender Review Board for the award of contract to Vamed Engineering, who transferred its rights in the project to Waterville Holdings (copies of letter of transfer and acceptance attached) and (copy of letter of Central Tender Review Board dated 5th August 2005 attached). It was in these circumstances that the then Government terminated the entire process.

IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS LETTER DATED 5TH AUGUST 2005 FORMED THE BASIS OF A BINDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN VAMED AND THE GOVERNMENT OF GHANA AND THE PROCESS HAVING BEEN TERMINATED WRONGFULLY BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE CLAIMANTS WERE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES RENDERED.

The claim for two percent (2%) of the total value of the project that Mr. Woyome and Austro-Invest financially engineered, which they have agreed should be paid to Mr. Woyome is therefore in order, hence my recommendation that you authorize payment of the amount due. Your Ministry may, however, negotiate with Mr. Woyome regarding the modalities for the payments of the amount due him.

Finally, I am making available to you the enclosed documentation from the Solicitor for Mr. Woyome for your records. I hope the documents will be of some relevance to you.


Betty Mould-Iddrisu (Mrs)

Attorney-General

Minister for Justice

29th April, 2010


cc: The Chief of Staff
Office of the President
The Castle –Osu

The Deputy Ministers
Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning

The Ag. Chief Director
Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning

The Director, Legal
Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning




From The Woyome/Waterville File (4)


FINANCE MINISTER, KWABENA DUFFUOR …FROM: FINANCE MINISTER, KWABENA DUFFUOR

TO: PREZ. MILLS


CHIEF OF STATE
THE CASTLE, OSU
ACCRA



REPORT ON PAYMENT OF JUDGEMENT DEBT TO MR. ALFRED AGBESI WOYOME

*1: I refer to your letter on the above subject matter dated December 15, 2012.

*2: Available records show that Government in conjunction with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Ghana 2008 Football tournament advertised for Expressions of Interest in year 2005. The tender was to be awarded on Turnkey basis including the arrangement of requisite financing for the project.

*3: Following the receipt of financial offers, a Finance Sub – Committee with representation from the Ministry of Finance evaluated the financial bids and made recommendations on most competitive bid to the Hon. Minister for Education and Sports. The Committee recommended the bid submitted by Vamed Engineering. The technical bids were evaluated separately by the then Ministry of Education and Sports.

*4: The records also show that the Ministry of Education and Sports entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Waterville Holdings and Micheletti (Gh) Ltd. on November 30th, 2005 for the turnkey, design, construction, fixtures, fittings, and equipping of the Ohene Djan Accra and the Construction of an 8 – Lane athletic track at El- Wak Stadium.

*5: On 26th April 2006, formal contracts were signed between the parties.

*6: In early 2010, the Honourable Attorney General informed this Ministry of a petition filed by Mr. Woyome for payment of compensation for the cost of financial engineering on mobilization of funds for the staging of the CAN 2008 Football Tournament (See Appendix 1).

*7: By letter dated 31st March, 2010 the Hon. Attorney General informed this Ministry that a settlement had been reached with Mr. Woyome and requested the Ministry to pay 2% of amount claimed (c1, 106,470,587.00).

*8: The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning by letter dated 12th April, 2010 asked the Attorney General to clarify the petitioner’s claim of right to the amount. (See Appendix 2)

*9: The Attorney General reverted on 29th April, 2010 with the explanation that Mr. Woyome’s claim was supported by documentation including letters from the Ministry of Education and Sports. The Attorney General specifically advised that the claim for 2% of the total value of the project that Mr. Woyome and Austro – Invest engineered, which they have agreed should be paid to Mr. Woyome, was in order and thus recommended that Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning should pay the amount due. The Ministry was also mandated to negotiate with Mr. Woyome on modalities for the payment of the amount (See Appendix 3)

*10: As a result of this Ministry’s refusal to comply with the above, the Attorney General followed up with letter dated 28th May, 2010 stating that as a result of the position taken by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Woyome had gone to Court and obtained judgment on 24th May, 2010 in the sum of GHC 41,811,480.59 plus interest of Euro 5 million (GHC 9,447,000.00) and cost of GHC 25,000.00, giving a total of GHC51, 283,480.59 (See Appendix 4).

*11: At this stage, Ministry of Finance negotiated with the Solicitors for Mr. Woyome to pay the money in three equal installments as follows:

*1st installment: GHC17, 094,493.53 to be paid not later than the first week of July 2010

*2nd installment: GHC17, 094, 493.53 due by end of July 2010

*3rd installment: GHC17, 094, 493.53 due by end of August 2010
(See Appendix 5)

*12: Even as the Ministry was in the process of paying the first installment as agreed during the first week in July, 2010 the Attorney General surprisingly went to court for a stay of execution which was refused on 9th July, 2010 (See Appendix 6).

The Court ordered as follows:

*Judgment Debt – GHC41, 811,480.59

*Interest from Sept 2006 - April 2010 – GHC9, 447,000.00

*Costs – GHC25, 000.00

TOTAL – GHC51, 283,480.59

*13: Subsequent to the refusal of the stay of execution application, the Attorney General filed a writ and obtained a partial stay of execution of the terms of settlement.

In granting the partial stay, the Judge ordered that the first installment of GHC GHC17, 094, 493.53 that was due Mr. Woyome on 30th June (payable in the first week of July) plus interest thereon be paid pending the final determination of the suit.

The Court also ordered that Mr. Woyome give an undertaking to refund the money paid him should he lose the case (See Appendix 6).

*14: In a letter dated 7th December, 2010 fro the Solicitors of Mr. Woyome to the Attorney-General which was conveyed to this Ministry by the Attorney-General on 9th December, 2010 the Ministry was informed that a pre-trial settlement conference had taken place and an understanding reached that the parties should attempt an out of Court settlement (See Appendix 7).

In the letter under reference the Attorney-General asked the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to honour the terms of settlement including the balance of GH¢34,188,987.06.

*15: In view of the heavy burden on public finances, the Ministry negotiated a phased payment of the debt by installments. This was fully settled between January 2011 and September 2011. The breakdown of the installment payments are outlined below:

*1. January 27, 2011 - GH¢10,000,000.00

*2. April 8, 2011 - GH¢10,000,000.00

*3. September 12, 2011 - GH¢14,188,987.

Total - GH¢34,188,987.06

*16: The Ministry has recently been served with copy of a suit on the payment of additional interest on the judgement debt. The suit is being defended by Honourable Attorney-General.

*17: Enclosed are copies of the relevant documents including the report of the finance bid evaluation committee, the MOU and Contract.

*18: Please revert to us if you require any further clarification on matters outlined above.



DR. KWABENA DUFFOUR

MINISTER

6TH January, 2012


cc: H.E. The President, Castle – Osu

H.E. The Vice President, Castle – Osu

Source: New Crusading Guide - Ghana.

Interdicted CPP Youth Organiser pours venom on party leaders

National Youth Organizer of the Convention People’s Party, Murtala Mohammed, has bemoaned the activities of the party’s executive council over what he says is monopoly of leadership in the party.

He deplored the excessive control by the executives in running the affairs of the party. He explained that the leaders at the helm of affairs have taken monopoly over the party and would not tolerate disparate sentiments from the party members.

Murtala Mohammed expressed that the executive council led by the chairperson, Samia Nkrumah, has become complacent in executing their duties and as a result crippling the progress of the party.

He slammed the leaders for tyrannizing and dictating to everyone within the party.

Citing some problems confronting the CPP, he said “one individual or two individuals think they should tell everybody what to do in the party.”

He stated that the executives have become tightlipped about the challenges facing the party and accused them of holding meetings without prior notice to the party officials.

He added that the party members cannot dissent to the decisions taken by the leadership since such persons are labeled as reactionary and punitive measures are taken against them.

“One individual or two individuals think they should tell everybody what to do in the party. That is a big problem. So, for example, you can’t have a contrary opinion to that individuals or individual. That is it, that’s a problem.”, he lamented.

He continued that the executives often do not explain the purport of their decisions to the party officials.

The CPP National Youth Organizer, Murtala Mohammed, was interdicted last year for making certain disparaging comments about the personality of Samia Nkrumah, who after elected as chairperson, had a fierce bout with the party’s 2008 Presidential candidate, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom.

Murtala described Samia Nkrumah as an “Egyptian Goddess”.

He justified his recent accusation that the executives have “sheepishly” allowed the General Secretary, Ivor Greenstreet, and the first woman chairperson of the party, Samia Nkrumah, “to go scot free on their various and negative pronouncements” as he rhetorically asked “Don’t you think also my interdiction is more hasher than that if there’s anything harsh? What have I done?”

The executive council found his pronouncement abysmal to the character of the chairperson and asked him to render an unqualified apology but was later interdicted.

Murtala Mohammed in a rejoinder to the executive council raised concerns about the leadership and alluded to William Shakespears’ book “Julius Caezar” that “Like Julius Caezar, the ides of December was when the plot to sack Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom from the Party finally hatched. On that fateful day, instead of resolving the impasse, you (council of elders) took your turn one after the other to rain insults on the personality of Dr. Nduom.”

He questioned the basis for his interdiction emphasizing that he has done nothing wrong and is waiting to appear before the disciplinary committee.

“I’m still waiting to see what will happen. If the disciplinary action is not exhausted, why should I just decide? I want [people] Ghanaians to know that I have done nothing wrong, okay. So, Ghanaians should see what is happening to an individual who is expressing a dissent in a democratic party like CPP.”, he said and pledged his commitment to the party.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm95.1/Accra/Ghana