MTTU: There Will Be High Police Presence During Easter Holidays

The Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service will intensify its road safety activities this easter in order to reduce the spate of road crashes in the country.

MTTU Public Relations Officer, Inspector Simon Tieku in an interview with Radio Gold on Thursday indicated that during this festive season, there will be high police presence on the highways to check drivers who defy traffic regulations.

He assured the public that traffic offenders will face prosecution to serve as deterrent to other drivers.

“We as law enforcers will make sure such offences are prosecuted at the law court and that is the instruction being given. We will intensify some of these things to make sure that it deters. And one important factor to mention is we’ve realized that anytime drivers see Policemen on the road, they decide to do the proper thing and for that matter one area we are looking at is to empower passengers on board various vehicles to serve as our frontline enforcers by simply reporting recalcitrant drivers to us,” he said.

He further stated that MTTU officers will be assigned to the flashpoints where accidents are rife to enforce the traffic regulations in order to make the Easter festivity safe for road users.

According to Inspector Simon Tieku, the officers will wield speed guns and other sensory devices to secure the highways.

He also charged the officers who he noted have undergone intensive training to conduct themselves in a professional manner.

“This Easter, our presence will be increased on the highways and strategic roads leading to areas where easter is mostly celebrated.

“Any Police officer who misbehaves or behaves unprofessionally will not be spared by the Police administration. That is an assurance,” he warned.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Ministry of Transport Cautions Drivers

The Ministry of Transport is cautioning all drivers to observe the road safety regulations in order to ensure an accident-free Easter break.

The sector Minister, Dzifa Ativor has warned drivers not to misbehave when plying the country’s roads.

She called on road users to comply with all the road safety regulations and therefore desist from the malpractices that have since contributed to the high rate of accidental incidents on roads in the nation.

Speaking to Radio Gold Thursday morning, Mrs. Ativor revealed that the Ministry will today embark on a sensitization programme to educate drivers and passengers on the measures to undertake in order to make the roads accessibly safe.

She cited some bad road practices as the use of mobile phones by drivers while driving, not resting after a 4-hour drive and inadequate checks on vehicles, and appealed to road users to refrain from such practices.

She also admonished passengers to report drivers who do not conduct themselves well to the Police service.

“Passengers are key because when the accident happens, it affects the people who are seated in the car. Passengers have the responsibility to check drivers when they are misbehaving, [I mean] not in an insulting manner but you can educate the driver…They have the right to report drivers who misbehave…When you see a driver speaking on phone. You have to check him because should accident happen, it’s going to affect you,” she said.

The Ministry of Transport will on Thursday, March 28, 2013 launch a National Easter Road Safety Sensitization programme to enlighten road users about the road safety precautions.

The Ministry is teaming up with the Ghana Police Service, Road Safety Commission and the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit to mete out punitive measures to drivers who deviate from the traffic regulations this Easter.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/ Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

NRSC: Ban The Use of Motor Cycles For Commercial Purposes

The Director of Planning and Programmes of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), Mrs. May Obiri Yeboah has called for a ban on the use of motor cycles for commercial purposes in the country.

According to her, the rampant use of motor cycles has contributed to the high rate of accidents in the nation.

Speaking in an interview on Radio Gold, Mrs. 0biri Yeboah blamed motor riders for the high death toll in the country and appealed to the appropriate authorities to ban the practice since it is a menace to public safety.

To her, the use of motor cycles for commercial purposes, popularly known as Okada business, “is not safe at all. And in fact, countries that have also had this Okada issue, Nigeria etc. All of them have told us through the West African Road Safety organization that we should not legalize this because they are finding it difficult to even regulate them in their countries.”


She noted that the commercialization of motor cycles has contributed to over 7.8% of the accident death toll in the nation.

She therefore advised road users to be wary of their activities in order to reduce the death rate in Ghana.

She explained that statistics has shown that in 2001, 29 people died per 10000 vehicles involved in road crashes but due to the sensitization programme the Commission together with the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) and the Police Service did, the rate of accidents reduced to 18 people per 10000 vehicles in the year 2011.

She outlined some safety precautions that road users should adopt, entreating them to “board vehicles at designated lorry parks because we have been having programmes with these drivers and I’m sure they are putting in place safety measures so that they can protect you the passenger as you go on their vehicles. We should not go for those vehicles that just by the road sides and calling up for passengers because most of them are not safe.”

She further intimated that the NRSC is teaming up with the various stakeholders to roll out some campaign programmes to make the Easter break, incident-free.

“We are intensifying our campaigns at the lorry park because when passengers are travelling, a lot of times, they do not know that they have the right to ensure that they arrive at their places of abode safely. And therefore we are intensifying our campaigns over there, so that we empower the passengers. Tell them their rights so that if a driver should misbehave whilst they are on their journey, they can report the driver to the police,” she said.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Rearing Sheeps Is More Lucrative Than Guinea Fowls – Bernard Mornah

General Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC), Bernard Mornah has chided government for investing a whooping amount of money in the rearing of guinea fowls which he believed is a misplaced priority.

Bernard Mornah who could not fathom the reasons for the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) to invest hugely in its Guinea Fowl Project, wondered why government would venture into that field of business.

The Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) revealed its activities for the year 2012.

SADA disclosed to the Select Committee on Finance that it expended an amount of GH¢91,249,000 on its activities last year. Out of this figure, its operation expenses amounted to GH¢20,029,000 while the remaining GH¢71,220,000 was invested in various projects some of which include Guinea Fowl, Agricultural Input Support, Afforestation, Key Human Development, Roads and Highways and Tractors.

It indicated that GH¢12,000,000 was invested in the rearing of guinea fowls while GH¢33,000,000 went into its Afforestation project.

This disclosure was vividly sliced into pieces in discussions held in the House of Parliament yesterday when three Members of Parliament (MPs); Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu constituency, Majority Chief Whip, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak and Minority leader, Dominic Nitiwul clashed over the subject.

Contributing to a debate on the 2013 Budget Estimates of the Office of Government Machinery, the Effutu MP told the house that the SADA's investments in the year 2012 should have been presented before Parliament for scrutiny while Mr. Afenyo-Markin called for a second look into the investments in order to clear off the distortions associated with it.

This notwithstanding, the PNC General Secretary speaking on Oman FM on Wednesday, noted that guinea fowl business in the nation would not reap huge benefits for the country due to the complexities involved in raising the fowls, and therefore called on government to rather invest in the rearing of sheep.

To him, sheep rearing is much lucrative than investing huge sums of money in raising guinea fowls which he stated are very “fragile and vulnerable” and a difficult business venture.

He blurted out the complications involved in guinea fowl farming, saying “The guinea fowl is very, very fragile and vulnerable. So, if you don’t know this and you buy in bulk. If you don’t take care, half of it will not survive because it’s very difficult to raise guinea fowl.”

He explained that animal husbandry, particularly sheep, would generate much benefit for the country if only government would consider it at the expense of the guinea fowls, SADA is investing in.

“I’m just asking why we didn’t opt for the rearing of sheep rather than the guinea fowl. Guinea fowl, what is the market?”

He also admonished the Select Committee on Finance to delve deep into the exact details of the investments made by the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority.

According to him, the Authority should come clear on the specifics of its investments in order to deaden the controversies that have arisen as a result of the disclosure.

“Ghanaians can go to Burkina Faso and other countries to go and buy sheep in particular. Particularly, the Muslim community…I think that SADA will do us good if they show us. The trees that they are growing too, where are they putting up the trees? What quantity have they germinated?” he demanded.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Ursula Owusu Fires Youth And Sports Ministry

The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ursula Owusu has fired a salvo at the Sports Ministry over recent reports that the Ministry overspent huge amounts of money in the 2012 fiscal year.

Ursula Owusu, contributing in a panel discussion programme on Oman FM Wednesday morning, slammed the Sports Ministry over recent reports that the Ministry mismanaged huge sums of money in the 2011 Maputo games, describing the conduct as a “naked rape of the resources of the country”.

He therefore demanded that the Sports Committee renders an account on the activities that led to the enormous expenditure.

The Youth and Sports Ministry was reported to have misappropriated funds to a tune of GHC 200million in 2012 and is faced with a challenge to account for its expenses.

It would also be recalled that the Ministry set up a Committee presided by Nii Adotey Din Barima to investigate the circumstances that led to the embarrassing feat of the national athletics team during the 2011 All African games in Maputo-Mozambique.

The report indicted the former Head of the National Sports Authority, Mr. Worlanyo Agrah and the Chief Sports Development Officer of the Sports Authority, Mr. Erasmus Adorkor, who were said to have misappropriated some funds allocated for the athletics team.

Though the sector Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, on the floor of Parliament yesterday indicated that the Ministry has given an ultimatum to the members to respond to the allegations or face prosecution, the NPP MP has expressed disappointment in the Ministry for harbouring such malfeasance.

The dissatisfied Ablekuma North MP, Ursula Owusu believed the delayed disclosure may be an attempt to conceal the misconduct in order to protect the government.

To her, the Sports Ministry “from beginning to end” is “riddled with incompetence, inefficiency, corruption, and thievery. For me, it is a naked rape of the resources of the country, supervised by Worlanyo Agrah who has a reputation.”

He called on the Ministry to get to the bottom of the case since the allegations are disgracing the country.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Dzifa Gomashie Expresses Gratitude To Prez Mahama

The newly appointed Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Gomashie has expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for her ministerial appointment.

Speaking in an interview with Radio Gold, the joyous actress and Chief Executive Officer of Mama Dzifa’s Kitchen, a popular food joint in Accra, pledged her commitment to assist the sector Minister in revamping tourism and the works of creative artistes in the country.

According to her, her nomination which came as a surprise would create an opportunity for her to bring into force ideas to restructure the sector. She was optimistic collaborative efforts between her and the sector Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, would boost the performance of the Ministry.

Mrs. Dzifa also explained the purpose of the incorporation of the Creative Arts Industry in the Tourism and Culture Ministry, saying President Mahama “couldn’t have put it under a better Ministry; the Creative Industry and Tourism. It’s tourism. Creative industry is a vehicle through which we can exhibit what we have in our country. And so, both of them, both tourism and the Creative industry are like twins. They are together. You can’t put one before the other. So, the pairing I think in my view it’s a very good one and we will use the creative industry to celebrate our tourist sites. And we will use the tourist sector also to celebrate the creative industry. They are interlinked.”

She however warned critics to detach politics from the activities of the Ministry.

“We can’t develop our country if we insist on looking at everything through political lens,” she said.

She appealed to Ghanaians to support her as she endeavours to contribute immensely to the progress of the tourism and arts sector in the nation.

“I will be counting on his Excellency’s guidance and I guess that I will give it all my energy.

“With the guidance of his Excellency the President and again with the prayer that has led me that far, divine direction will come. And I will be counting on everybody because it’s about our country. It’s about Ghana,” she stated.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Youth And Sports Ministry Must Pay Attention To Other Sport Disciplines

Bernard Mornah, General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), has called on the Youth and Sports Ministry to pay attention to other sport disciplines in the country in order to fully utilize the facilities provided for holding sporting activities.

He bemoaned the poor state of the nation’s sports facilities which he noted are becoming defunct due to the overconcentration on soccer at the expense of other equally beneficial sporting activities.

He was speaking to Oman FM regarding the recent reports that the Ministry overspent huge amounts of money in its 2012 budget estimates.

Obviously not happy, Bernard Mornah wondered why the country’s stadia are left to rot when the Ministry can improve upon the numerous sports in the country in order to put the stadia into good use.

He implored the Ministry to ensure that the facilities constructed for the purpose of enhancing sports are managed well, and sarcastically doubted the country’s performance in football.

“Something is not right with our Ministry for Youth and Sports. It’s all about football.

“We are not even good with football. Even the stadiums that we recently constructed are not up to standard. We are not able to manage them. The stadium that we have constructed, we can’t manage it…Our stadia, what are we using them for?” he questioned.

He urged the sector Minister to ensure that the Sports Ministry bids for games to be held in the national stadia in order to keep it functioning.

Also, reacting to the 2011 All African games in Maputo-Mozambique, Bernard Mornah appealed to the Ghana’s legislative body and the Youth and Sports Ministry headed by Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah to roll out sanctions to the culprits to serve as deterrent to the authorities in the sector.

“I do hope that it will not just be one of talk shows…I hope that those people involved will come to indicate, what happened?”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Alhaji B.A Fuseini Implores Deputy Ministers Designate To Be Diligent

Member of Parliament (MP) for Sagnarigu Constituency, Alhaji B.A Fuseini who has been nominated by President John Mahama as Deputy Regional Minister designate for the Northern Region has implored his colleague nominees to be diligent in their activities when approved by the Vetting Committee.

A.B.A Fuseini in an interview on Radio Gold, called on the 26 Deputy Ministers designate to serve the nation but not seize the opportunity for their own gains.

He entreated them to work assiduously in their respective Ministries as soon as they are approved to undertake their executive duties.

“Any person who has been appointed by his Excellency the President, do not see it as an opportunity to go on holiday…It is time to work…We have no alternative but to deliver. Every appointee must work and work diligently. All of us must roll up our sleeves…” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Majority Chief Whip in Parliament and Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing nominee, Sampson Ahi also expressed gratitude to President Mahama.

He explained his appointment as “call on me to assist the Minister to ensure that we address the water problems and the housing problems that we face as a nation.”

The office of the Presidency on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 released the fourth list of President Mahama’s Deputy Minister nominees.

The appointment was done in accordance with article 79 of the 1992 Constitution.

A statement signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Raymond Atuguba revealed 26 Deputy Ministers designate to different Ministries in the country.

The 26 nominees, Ebenezer Okletey Teye Larbi who is heading to the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Tia Sugri for the Ministry of Health, Vincent Oppong Asamoah for the Ministry of Water Resources, Works & Housing, James Agalga for the Ministry of Interior, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed who will go to the Ministry of Information & Media Relations, Victoria Hammah to the Ministry of Communications, Dzifa Gomashie who heads to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts among others are to be vetted and approved before they commence their official duties.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Dr. Bombande Jabs Gabby For Inciting Passions on The Social Media

The Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP), Dr. Emmanuel Bombande has bashed Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Executive Director of the Danquah Institute and a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for inciting passions on the social media.

Dr. Emmanuel Bombande chided the NPP mogul over his write up on a social media which he believes has the potency to agitate the masses to threaten the peace of the nation.

Gabby took to his facebook page on Monday to register his displeasure with the turn of events in the NPP’s law suit at the Supreme Court.

On his wall, he wrote these words: “I predict that if we go on as we are doing, pretending as if these are normal times and taking the silent rage of the masses for granted. Chaos and anarchy, instability and destruction, revolution and counter-revolution shall meet the decision of the Supreme Court. Whether the court rules that John Mahama is the validly elected President of Ghana or Nana Akufo-Addo is the validly elected President of Ghana, trouble shall follow unless…”

Dr. Bombande commenting on Gabby’s remarks on Radio Gold, admonished political figures to be wary of their comments on social platforms since the comments can adversely affect the peace of the country.

He explained that the political heads who take delight in commenting on national issues via social networks can create mayhem if they do not sift their words.

He therefore called on Gabby to be self-disciplined and allow the court to give its verdict on the election case since his social media comments can potentially elicit public anger.

Noting that social media avenues are significant tools for mobilizing people, he entreated the NPP stalwart and his cohorts to exercise caution when dealing with the social media, and also advised the parties involved in the Supreme Court case to allow the judicial process to take its course.

He expressed that “Ghana is doing great, not just internally but internationally. If there’s anybody or there are any groups of people who in their conduct of the things that they say are beginning to pose any threat to Ghana’s peace…It is a comment that makes assumption on social media, attempts to mobilize people for what completely is not good reason.”

He entreated politicians to be levelheaded when they hop onto social media platforms to comment on the pending election case.

Reacting to Gabby’s comments, Dr. Bombande cautioned him and others who make such statements to note that “it is in their own good that they refrain from this type of attitude because the world in which we live in today, is not in the 70s or the 80s. And you don’t do these things and get away with them. It comes around and eventually catches up with you.”

He described political figures who portray such attitudes as people who “don’t believe in themselves. [No. 2] They don’t believe in the institutions of the state which is the Judiciary that they went to. [No.3] They seek to create the type of mayhem that in my view is closely observed not only in Ghana but also internationally. And it is important that we are very forthright. We are very clear.”

According to him, Gabby’s remarks about the NPP’s petition at the Supreme Court amounts to “what I (Dr. Bombande) would call mobilizing a certain public perception which gradually when it continues to be eroded can lead to incitement.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Ghanaians Should Be Confident In Our Judicial System - Ato Dadzie

A member of the National Democratic Congress' legal team, Lawyer Nana Ato Dadzie has implored Ghanaians to repose confidence in the judicial system of the country.

He urged the citizenry to believe in the legal system of the land and ensure that the Supreme Court sitting on the election case between the NPP leaders, Electoral Commission and President John Dramani Mahama is not stampeded.

He spoke to Radio Gold on Tuesday, March 26, 2013.

According to him, Ghana’s judicial system is fully capable of determining the path for the country in order to maintain peace and stability.

Speaking in relation to Kenya’s legal challenge between the country’s defeated Prime Minister, Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta who emerged victor in the 4th March Presidential elections; Lawyer Ato Dadzie warned the nation not to draw inspiration from the Kenyan State since their track record is questionable.


He explained that due to the genocide that took place in the country, Ghana cannot replicate their feat and so, advised Ghanaians to refrain from comparing the NPP’s election case to the Kenyan situation.

Kenya’s elections this year saw the two leaders of the country clash over who the Presidential throne should be handed over to.

Raila Odinga challenged the victory of Uhuru Kenyatta claiming his results were manipulated.

Here in Ghana, the two major political parties, New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), have also been locked up in a legal battle to decide the fate of the NPP 2012 Presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Though the Kenyan Supreme Court has accepted a plea to televise their legal process, Ghana’s situation is different and according to Lawyer Ato Dadzie, the country has its “own legal system and I believe that our legal system is moving methodically. It is with good reason that the court decided probably to exclude cameras from the court. It is possibly to reduce the emotions and tensions which go with these matters. But it has overflown in a place like Kenya. I mean people have been killed left and right…So, their system originally could not contain it. So, obviously in a re-run of a similar situation, there must be greater assurance. But I think we should have confidence in our legal system.”

He therefore called on the Ghanaian masses to desist from replicating events that have characterized the Kenyan nation.

“I think we should have confidence in our legal system. I believe that we have confidence in our judicial system. Our Judges are well seasoned. The representation on both sides is fairly solid.

“I don’t think that we should permit anybody to stampede the Supreme Court into taking a decision that may not be in the interest of the nation. I believe that at the end of the day, the court knows what’s best for this country. They have been given a constitutional mandate to determine the path for this country,” he said.

He also outlined his party’s expectations of the election case at the Supreme Court, saying “by 2nd April, we expect that with assistance from the court or the direction of the court, the issues will be cleaned up and set down. The parties will be helped to agree on a number of issues to which the trial will target.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Media Should Expose Public Sector Workers Who Fail To Answer Queries

The former Director General of the Ghana Health Service and a member of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Professor Agyemang Badu-Akosa has vehemently called on journalists to expose public sector workers who fail to answer queries on media platforms.

Speaking in relation to President Mahama’s call on radio morning show hosts to avoid laziness and the excessive interest in politics, Professor Akosa also expressed disgust at public officials who cannot face the media when contacted to volunteer information on a subject.

According to him, once a person is appointed to head a public office, it is mandatory for him or her to reveal failures of the agency to the media without fear or intimidation.

Following the President’s call, Professor Akosa noted that just as media practitioners are tasked to use their platforms for developmental projects, public servants should also be liberal to voice their activities and the challenges in the public sector.

He expressed disappointment in government appointees who run away from the media spotlight, explaining that; “you have been appointed, you have a daily business to understand the work that you do. And if there are difficulties, then it is you who should come and share that knowledge; those issues.”

He disclosed that some public heads pursue their Masters degree on the ticket of government and return to work as consultants for the government without utilizing their knowledge base to the benefit of the nation.

“I think that is wrong. As a public servant, yours is to interface between the work that you do and the general public. And you should be there articulating the concerns and talking about where management is. If there are management issues, talk about it and so on, and so forth. But you as an individual who holds a certain position should be ready to come on air,” he insisted.

“After all, how will you justify the job that you have. The only way that Ghanaians will know that [my God] we’ve got a Director General who is articulate, who is knowledgeable; it’s when you come on television programmes. When you come on radio programmes and speak sense.”

He questioned: “How can you sit in a closet and be Director General or be Director of something? I mean what is it?”

“I find it absolutely unacceptable that anybody who’s been appointed into a certain level, particularly if you take the public service [Director and above]; who cannot answer queries about issues pertaining to his area of work. Journalists should be able to say it…Let people put people on the spot. After all, what are they paid for?”

He was however optimistic that if journalists “take a development agenda and we take a developmental attitude, a lot of them (public servants) will have no choice but to respond.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Some Clergy Members Are "Mascotting" For Political Heads And Have Betrayed The President

The founder and leader of the Jesus Generation Sanctuary Church, Rev. Nana Anyane Boadum has descended heavily on the Clergy Association, accusing them of doing the bidding of politicians in the country.

Rev. Anyane Boadum slammed the Clergy members for betraying President John Mahama despite his clandestine meeting with them to decide on the expedition by the Christian community to Israel.

According to him, the Churches are acting like a sheep in a wolf’s skin, criticizing the President instead of giving an ear to his voice.

Following the turn of events of the christian pilgrims to Israel, some clergy members and politicians have voiced their sentiments to the Presidency for supporting such initiative when there are several challenges that the country is grappling with.

Government over the past weeks indicated that the Christians’ pilgrimage would be entirely sponsored by private philanthropists while it only facilitates the movement.

Minister for Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah sought to disabuse the minds of Ghanaians of the misleading commentaries by critics of the trip.

According to him, government is acting on the sidelines to help the Ministers of God embark on a smooth journey to Israel, disclosing that the funding is in the hands of private entities.

He also denied media reports that government is doling out $2m to the Christian community but stated the cost of the trip as $600,000.

Following the brouhaha resulting from the Israel trip, President Mahama held a meeting with some religious leaders behind closed doors, intently to explain the details of the trip.

Rev. Anyane Boadum who was obviously incensed at the Pastors’ unfairness released his fury on his colleagues.

According to him, the Ministers should cease from using the country’s economic problems as an excuse for distancing themselves from the trip because “the erratic power or generation of power in this country, the “dum so dum so” thing, has been with us for so many years. The water situation is not new and that the government should not panick.”

He disclosed that a number of the Clergy members are “mascotting” for some political heads in the country, and as a result betrayed the President.

“Look at how we betrayed him. Yes, we did. He asked the media to stay out of the meeting, out of respect for the Clergy. The things that he shared with us, we came out to tell the media and we put a spin on it.

He also identified some flaws in the argument by the religious body asking “where was the Church when Ghana sponsored over thousand people to go to South Africa to watch and support the Black Stars? Were we not having the same problems in this country? Where was the church?”

“The Christian Council who are now crying from the roof tops that there are so many problems in this country…Where was the Church when we sponsored people to go to Germany for the World Cup?...We need to be very careful…We should be very, very careful what we do. We will need the ear of the President from time to time.”

He advised the Christian body to dissociate itself from “the political media agenda against this government. The church should dissociate itself immediately”, therefore imploring the religious heads to support the President.

“We need to encourage him...We should rather seek a leverage with the Presidency,” he said in an interview on Accra-based Radio Gold.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Assemblies of God Church Admonishes Prez Mahama Over Israel Trip

General Secretary of the Assemblies of God Church in Ghana, Reverend Dr. John Ghartey has cautioned President John Mahama to distance himself from the private offer to the Christian community to embark on a pilgrimage to Israel.

Speaking in an interview with Radio Gold Tuesday morning, Rev. Ghartey insisted that President Mahama, as a leader with integrity, should dissociate himself from the Israel trip in order to hold his head high.

According to him, whether the trip is a private partnership with government or in the hands of some private entities, the government should not be involved. The money should rather be invested in developing the nation.

"We would plead with our beloved President that he stays away from this because it will not help him. It will not help us. Even if it’s an offer from somebody, we still know that we have other needs in the nation that we can channel that money to,” he cautioned.

Rev. John Ghartey was reacting to a media publication that the Church has snubbed President Mahama by refusing to embark on the trip.

A report by Joy FM on Monday indicated that; “The Assemblies of God Church, where President John Dramani Mahama fellowships has also rejected the government’s offer to take some of its leaders to Israel on a pilgrimage.”

The Church was quoted to have said that although “it is true that the pilgrimage to Israel can be an enriching spiritual experience for any individual who undertakes it, it is of no special consequence to our eternal salvation.”

The Church issued a statement stating that it “will therefore not endorse any spending of the nation's scarce resources on things of this nature while there are pressing needs". It also stressed that “we shall not condone this move by adding our pastors to any such list.”

Government in partnership with some private philanthropists expressed interest to assist the Christian community to travel to Israel for historic purposes.

200 religious leaders across the country were enlisted to make the trip, which will be at a cost of $600,000.

Government stated emphatically that it's role in the deal is specifically to facilitate the movement of the religious body to Israel, revealing that the Christian community will be funded by private philanthropists.

Despite government's clarification, some Clergy members and the civil society have vented their spleen on President Mahama for supporting the initiative.

Rev. Ghartey explaining the purport of the statement issued by the Church, noted that the statement was not intended to snub the President as put out by some media networks but the Church sought to advise President Mahama to do the right thing and not “muddy the waters”.

Expounding further the position of the Church, he said; “Looking at the tight situation we find ourselves in, if the nation has this money, we would rather that it be put in some other use than sponsoring Pastors. We agreed that hey, the idea is good. The mind and the heart behind that offer is excellent and we cannot turn our backs on the President.”

“He has a good heart and it’s a good idea. But we think that as a people who care about his success and we want him to do the right thing, we feel that the timing is not the best. And so, if we can postpone it, it doesn’t mean we have snubbed him.”

“Looking at the whole issue. Even now that he’s explained that somebody else is bringing in the money, we don’t want to muddy the waters any further. We would plead with our beloved President that he stays away from this because it will not help him. It will not help us. Even if it’s an offer from somebody, we still know that we have other needs in the nation that we can channel that money to.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Prof. Badu Akosa Backs Mahama: Media Must Shun Massive Engagement In Politics

A leading member of the Convention People's Party, Professor Agyemang Badu Akosa has given support to President Mahama’s call on media practitioners to shun sensationalism and the massive engagement in politics.

Speaking on Radio Gold Monday morning, Professor Akosa also took a swipe at media practitioners who give platforms to politicians to tout their ideologies.

According to the former Director General of the Ghana Health Service, the media, particularly radio, should not be used to advance any political ideologies of personalities and parties but rather advance the course of nation building.

Professor Akosa, reacting to President Mahama’s call, implored presenters to ensure their programming focusses on developmental agenda of governments, outlining ways in which the country’s challenges would be resolved.

He admonished media practitioners to shun bringing politicians on their shows.

To him, journalists are mandated to instil a sense of nationalism in the citizenry. This he noted should spell out measures to curb Ghana’s economic crises.

“Nobody needs to represent anybody else’s interest. But we do it in such an adversarial way and that is what the President said. It is such in an adversarial way that it is bound to get heated.”

“You create a lot of background noise that does not advance the course properly…at the end of the day the moderator should be able to summarize and say that look this is what will move the country forward,” he stated.

President John Mahama last Friday opened up a debate about the activities of radio morning show presenters.

Addressing executives of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and senior editors at the Flagstaff House, President Mahama described the kind of morning shows that are run on radio platforms in the country as lazy.

He explained that “Radio is the most potent media vehicle and it shapes perceptions of people and so even more than newspapers, radio must get it right in terms of shaping our people’s perception but often the style that is used is very lazy.”

The President therefore urged editors to desist from politicking on the airwaves.

Professor Akosa believed the President was spot on in addressing a pertinent issue with the media.

He also insisted that “Politics is not done on the radio. Politics is done in the chamber of the house of Parliament, whether in Committee rooms or in the main hall. Radio should not be; you can have one or two discussion programmes but let the focus be developmental agenda.”

“Politics necessarily does not advance the course of any country. What is important is the development agenda.”

He further expounded that political talks should be held in the House of Parliament because “the Parliamentarians represent their political parties and represent their constituents. In the House of Parliament, there will be party political discussions on national issues. That’s where politics get done…Local politics can be in the local assembly or district assembly chamber. Beyond that, it’s not radio that does politics.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Gov't Clarifies....Mahama Did Not Intend To Vilify Media Practice

Information Minister, Mahama Ayariga has revealed the purpose of President John Mahama’s interaction with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and a section of the broadcast media on Friday, March 22, 2013.

The Minister, in an interview with Radio Gold on Monday, intimated that the President’s meeting with the executives of GJA and senior editors at the Flagstaff House was not intended to vilify media practice but rather enhance government’s partnership with the media.

Last Friday, President Mahama poured his heart out regarding the quality of radio programmes in the country.

According to him, “Radio is the most potent media vehicle and it shapes perceptions of people and so even more than newspapers, radio must get it right in terms of shaping our people’s perception but often the style that is used is very lazy", therefore urging journalists to eschew their excessive indulgence in holding political shows.

President Mahama speaking to the media also took a swipe at the kind of discussants who appear on programmes, stating that several of them usually tend to have limited knowledge about the subjects on board.

The President's statements have since pricked the hearts of some political figures who have also voiced their minds on the issue.

According to the Minister of Information, the focus should not be on the President’s description about the quality of radio programmes but the advice that radio presenters should seek experts to educate the public.

He explained the President’s appeal to the journalists saying “the tendency of teaching political parties during morning shows instead of focusing on experts doesn’t bring out the best of morning shows because morning shows are also supposed to educate on the issues. So, instead of the media all the time focusing on there must be an NDC and then an NPP person, they could bring in experts.”
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Government Should Intervene In Solving Water Crisis

The Managing Director of the Ghana Urban Water Limited, Senyo Theodore Amengor has called on government to make a swift intervention in solving the water problems facing the country.

According to him, the persistent water shortages in the nation can diminish if government makes available the required resources to boost the water sector.

Ghana’s water system has for the past years seen a downward trend with a hope that it may be resolved in order to end the hustles people go through in sourcing water for their homes and companies.

Stakeholders in the sector have since looked out for solutions to the challenges but to no avail.

Explaining to Joy FM the reasons for the failures by the water providers to supply water to communities in the country, Mr. Amengor intimated that the water company is faced with a greater challenge of funding and as a result, the company is running on deteriorating machines.

He noted that the company’s production capacity has dwindled due to the outdated plants used to treat the water bodies.

He also cited the lack of adequate facilities as a major problem confronting the company and so, called on government to provide funds to revamp their activities in order to nip the water problems in the bud.

He implored government to allot some money to revitalise the water system in the country.

He noted that with the growing population, the company will have to be adequately funded in order to meet the demands of the citizens.

“The funds don’t march with the planning process. So, there’s that gap between the growth and then provision of facilities.”

“When we build a plant, we need to continue to have money to do capital maintenance. Equipment has to be replaced. If the fund is not available, we will run and then at a point in time, equipment begins to break down. So, these are some of the issues. We have the right people to do the maintenance but the funds to do it; it’s not available.”

“If we don’t increase capacity, coverage will not increase as we expect…We need to be marching our development or provision of facilities with population growth,” he expressed.

He was optimistic that if government comes to the aid of the water providers, the current shortages in the country would be resolved soon.
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

The Police Should Step Up In Fighting Against Crime - John Boadu

John Boadu, Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party, has implored the Police Service to step up their game in their fight against crimes in the country.

He asked the Police to tighten security in the nation to combat any criminal activities and ensure that the lives of Ghanaians are not endangered.

His comments come on the back of recent clashes between some illegal miners and residents in Obuasi and the increasing spate of armed robbery in Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region.

On Peace FM’s morning programme “Kokrokoo”, John Boadu expressed surprise that the Police may have little knowledge about the criminals since according to him; it is unlikely that the security personnel are oblivious of the hideouts of social deviants such as marijuana deviants.

He believes the Police sometimes swoop down on law breakers just when they get an impulse to go for a hunt and as a result expressed doubts about the Police Service saying; “I will be very surprised if the Police don’t know where these people are, all these years. They don’t know their identity all this while and they just appeared all of a sudden. I will be very, very surprised and it will be very dangerous for us as a people. I know they know them well.”

He was also disappointed over the country’s defunct identification system, insisting that it would help curb the increasing numbers of crimes in the nation should it be brought into force.

The Ashanti Police Command on Wednesday arrested 150 people suspected to be armed robbers. The arrest is intended to bring armed robbery incidents in the region to the barest minimum.

The Police swooped down on the suspects at their hideouts at Ayigya in the region.

Upon arresting the suspects, the Police destroyed shrines purported to give protection to the robbers and further retrieved thirty-nine assorted passports, 16 rubber stamps, 3 locally manufactured pistols, 6 sharp machetes among other items.

In the wake of the recent events, some people have called for a merger between soldiers and police personnel to provide tough security in the region.

However, John Boadu has called on the Police to up their performance in order not to erode the confidence that the citizens have reposed in them.

“The soldiers have their advantage in dealing with several situations. But they also have their disadvantage about several things. The Police also have their advantage about numerous things; they have disadvantages too. So, let’s ensure we take advantage of what they all have. So, it won’t be that we will erode the confidence of the Police so much so that when something happens, we will have to go for soldiers before they resolve it.” he stated.


Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

The Herald Editor Accusses Dr. Bawumia's Driver of Accident

The Managing Editor of the Herald newspaper, Larry A. Dogbe has acccused Dr. Bawumia’s driver of sleeping while driving, resulting in last Sunday’s accident involving the Vice Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party in the 2012 General Elections.

According to the Herald Editor, the driver who was steering Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at Bole in the Northern Region found himself asleep on the road leading to the scary accident.

He also described the driver as “reckless”, adding that he had no required license to drive the brand new V8 Toyota Land cruiser that had the NPP Veep on board.

He noted that the driver in question doesn’t have the required license and he’s normally doing town ride because he has license B

“…He doesn’t have the required license to drive the car that he was driving,” he alleged.

“He is a very reckless driver. And that possibly he was sleeping at the time when the accident occurred. Because some experts we spoke to at DVLA, told us that it is totally unsual for a car to just burst two tyres at the same time,” he added.

He therefore called for thorough investigations to be conducted by the Police and ensure that the law takes its course on any person whose negligence might have caused the vehicle’s tyres to explode, resulting in the road crash.

“Why is the NPP hiding the car? All we know is that when an accident occurs, you first of all have to report yourself or report the accident to the nearest Police station and thereafter MTTU officials will come and assess the situation…I hope that for the first time, the Police people will just say that enough of all this thing. Let’s get the car and let the law prevail,” he demanded.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Police Threatens Court Action Against NPP

The Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service has threatened to take the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to court if they fail to comply with the Police order to hand over Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s vehicle which was involved in a near-fatal accident over the weekend.

The Police issued a 24 hour ultimatum to the NPP scribe, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, to divulge the whereabouts of the V8 Toyota Land Cruiser that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was travelling in when the accident occurred.

Sir John as popularly called informed the public after the incident that he had ordered for the car to be towed from the accident scene because the party does not trust the Police to conduct objective investigations into the case.

Describing the Police personnel as NDC folks, he refused to allow them to tow the vehicle claiming that the party will conduct its own investigations to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

But the Deputy MTTU Commander, Chief Superintendent S.K Tetteh has issued a warning to the party leadership to disclose the location of the vehicle or else prepare to meet them in court.

Speaking to Accra-based Radio Gold, Chief Spt S.K Tetteh told the host that; “If somebody respects you and then writes to you requesting to cooperate, and you fail, then we have other options. In the course of our investigations, if you have evidence or you know something about a case that is being investigated and you fail to cooperate with the Police, we don’t have any other thing than to go to the court for the court to compel whoever has information on the matter to release it to the Police. So, that’s what we shall be doing next.”

He also noted that the Police await the return of the mangled vehicle today(Friday)

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Argument About Nana Addo's Credential Is “Petty” - Lawyer Ayikoi Otoo

A former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lawyer Joseph Ayikoi Otoo has intervened in the ongoing controversy bordering on the qualification of the 2012 Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as a professional lawyer.

In an interview with Kwame Nkrumah “Tikese” on Okay FM on Thursday, Lawyer Joseph Ayikoi Otoo sought to explain the circumstances through which a person in pursuit of law can be called to the bar.

Lawyer Ayikoi Otoo further elucidated from the Legal Profession Act which regulates activities of legal practitioners in the country, stating that before a person can be certified as a lawyer, he or she should have a first degree in law and also obtain a Qualifying Certificate of Law (QCL).

He explained that any person who aspires to be a lawyer should meet these requirements, and also have his or her name entered in the Roll of Lawyers before Ghana’s legal system can give him or her right to be enrolled in the bar.

He further expounded that an opportunity is also created for law students abroad who want to practice law in Ghana to pursue a three-month course in the Ghana School of Law before proceeding to the law courts.

Reacting to the ongoing standoff over whether Nana Akufo-Addo can hold up his name as a qualified lawyer or rather an impersonator, Lawyer Ayikoi Otoo who is also the former General Secretary of the Ghana Bar Association described the argument as “petty” and so, enlightened Ghanaians about Nana Addo’s name change in the law firm.

According to him, the argument that Nana Addo may be impersonating W.A.D Akufo-Addo who is on the roll of lawyers as No. 1190 is of little substance.

He noted that during the era of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the use of local names became popular and therefore informed the decision by several lawyers to change their names.

Alluding to legal practitioners like Lawyer Samuel Okudzeto who changed his name to Lawyer Sam Okudzeto and the late Peter Ala Adjetey, he stressed that a name change may not provide enough grounds to disprove a person’s qualification as a lawyer.

He therefore sought to disabuse the citizenry of the misconception in Justice Kpegah’s suit against Nana Addo, stating that “I do not think that if you see a name like W.A.D. Akufo-Addo with Nana and a few things, then you say no, because I don’t see Nana Akufo Addo; therefore it is not a name. That one will create difficulties.”

“To me, I think it is a little petty because if the man was really called to the bar in 1970 or 71 abroad. Then he came to Ghana in 1975 and we find the name there, I think onus approved will be on anybody who is saying that he’s been impersonating the name W.A.D Akufo-Addo and that he is not the person. That onus approved should lie on whoever is saying it because I am not aware of any other lawyer going by that name W.A.D Akufo Addo.

“Akufo-Addo because I’ve known him for a very long time, know that he has some peculiar way of spelling his Akufo. He insists that it’s one “F” and not double “F”…I, myself, I changed the spelling of my name…I don’t think that it takes anything away from me being a Lawyer,”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

PPP Comminucator: Kpegah's Suit Against Nana Addo Is A Diversionary Tactics

A member of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Charles Owusu has hinted that the law suit by Justice Kpegah, a former Supreme Court Judge, is nothing but diversionary tactics to distract the Ghanaian populace from the pending 2012 election case of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), which is before the Supreme Court.

Making his submissions on Peace FM’s morning programme “Kokrokoo”, Charles Owusu believed Justice Kpegah’s suit maybe out of hatred for Nana Addo, revealing the former Supreme Court Judge as an NDC loyalist.

He wonder why a suit could be filed challenging the legitimacy of the NPP Flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, when the late former President John Evans Atta Mills even attested to Nana Addo’s qualification as a professional lawyer.

Justice Kpegah has filed a suit at an Accra High Court challenging the qualification of Nana Akufo-Addo as a lawyer in Ghana.

He has accused Nana Addo of impersonating W.A.D Akufo-Addo who is on the roll of lawyers as No. 1190.

He filed a writ on Tuesday, March 18, 2013, disclosing that;“A declaration that on a true and proper interpretation of the General Legal Council Act, Act 38 of 1960 (as amended) unless a person is called to the Bar in Ghana and his name entered in the Roll of Lawyers by the body mandated under the said Act 38 (as amended) to regulate the training and certification of persons after a prescribed course of study, that person cannot be deemed competent to practice law in any court of Ghana.”

The writ also read that; “A declaration that the Law Firm established as Akufo-Addo, Prempeh and Co. at 67 Kojo Thompson Road, Adabraka, Accra is an illegal law firm and therefore not competent to represent any party in litigation before any court in Ghana".

Justice Kpegah is praying the court for “A perpetual injunction restraining the said Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo from holding himself out as a lawyer competent to practice in the Ghanaian courts or anybody regarding him as such,” and so, asked the court to"close down the Akufo-Addo, Prempeh and Co law firm.”

However, the PPP Communicator has called for calm to be restored and therefore asked him (Justice Kpegah) to tone down in order not to give room for people to discredit his integrity.
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Justice Kpegah’s Claims Are "Infantile Nonsense"; Nana’s Integrity Is Indestructible

Kweku Baako Jnr., Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper has thrown a challenge to critics to provide substantial evidence, challenging the integrity of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Expressing disgust over attempts by critics to discredit the personality of Nana Addo, Kweku Baako during a panel discussion on Peace FM Wednesday, March 20, 2013 dared them to clarify their facts about the NPP bigwig if they so claim he is an “unmitigated disaster” in the country.

Talking on Peace FM this morning, the veteran journalist sought to disabuse the minds of Ghanaians of the misconception about Nana Addo’s attitude, stating emphatically that Nana Addo is an indestructible asset to the country.

He explained that Nana Addo in his pursuit of justice has engaged in advocacy events and so, it is an impossible mission for any person to launch an attack on his integrity.

Kweku Baako was reacting to a writ by Justice Kpegah, former Supreme Court Judge, who is suing the NPP flagbearer for flaunting himself as a lawyer when evidence available to him tells otherwise.

The writ, filed on Tuesday, March 18 in an Accra High Court accused Nana Addo of impersonation and so, Justice Kpegah is praying the court to overturn his right to practice law in Ghana.

In the writ, Justice Kpegah listed his claims disclosing that; “A declaration that on a true and proper interpretation of the General Legal Council Act, Act 38 of 1960 (as amended) unless a person is called to the Bar in Ghana and his name entered in the Roll of Lawyers by the body mandated under the said Act 38 (as amended) to regulate the training and certification of persons after a prescribed course of study, that person cannot be deemed competent to practice law in any court of Ghana.”

The writ further read: “A declaration that the Law Firm established as Akufo-Addo, Prempeh and Co. at 67 Kojo Thompson Road, Adabraka, Accra is an illegal law firm and therefore not competent to represent any party in litigation before any court in Ghana".

“A perpetual injunction restraining the said Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo from holding himself out as a lawyer competent to practice in the Ghanaian courts or anybody regarding him as such,” he prayed the court.

He also indicted Ex-President Kufour for appointing Nana Akufo-Addo as Attorney General under his reign and further asked the court "to close down the Akufo-Addo, Prempeh and Co law firm".

But Kweku Baako described as “infantile nonsense” the claims by Justice Kpegah, therefore calling on the opposers of Nana Addo to learn and not embark on a futile journey to discredit him.

He believes the critics dread Nana Addo’s personality and are only “recycling discredited allegations against the man.”

“What is the fear? What is that, that is worrying them? Where from this Nana phobia?” he wondered.

He therefore emphasized that; “In terms of integrity, Nana Addo is indestructible. In terms of integrity, political and professional integrity; I say his integrity is indestructible.”

“Like that man or not, I say his integrity is indestructible.” he concluded.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Sefa Kayi On MY WORLD OF MUSIC

Versatile Radio and Television host, Kwami Sefa Kayi will be the next celebrity guest to make an appearance on your TV screens this weekend.

This Saturday, March 23, will give you an opportunity to take a peek into the life of the ace veteran journalist as he walks viewers through the events that have flung him from zero to hero, on “My World of Music.”

“My World of Music”, a 30-minute personality show on VIASAT 1, profiles prominent faces in the Ghanaian enclave who have soared above the odds of life to climb the ladder of success. The programme, through the medium of music, explores the lighter sides of these personalities. The guest doubles as the host of the show simultaneously; first of its kind in the nation. The guest’s favourite songs and videos are played intermittently within the interview.

The show, which has since inception taken the airwaves by storm, has provided several platforms for celebrities, both in showbiz and the professional worlds, to unravel their secrets to the populace; an opportunity every viewer would not like to miss.

For months now, it has featured personalities such as the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, NPP Communication Director, Nana Akomea, Hassan Ayariga, 2012 Presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Joyce Aryee, former Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, actress Yvonne Nelson, Nana Ama McBrown, former Black Stars Captain, Stephen Appiah and a host of interesting stars.

Kwami Sefa Kayi is arguably one of the finest Presenters and the best morning show host in Ghana. He can boast of over fifteen years of solid experience in the media landscape.

This weekend, “My World of Music” will give viewers an opportunity to get up close and personal with Mr. Sefa Kayi.

“My World of Music” airs every Saturday at 2:30 pm on VIASAT 1 with a repeat on Tuesdays, 12:30 pm and sponsored by a leading household appliance company in Ghana, Hisense and supported by Dooleys Toffee Cream Liqueur.

“My World of Music” is produced by ComMedia Concepts Ltd.

 Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Kwaku Baako: Sir John Has "Goofed Big Time"… His Utterances Are "Highly Irresponsible"

Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako Jnr, has launched a blistering attack on the General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) describing his utterances as “highly irresponsible”.

According to the renowned editor, Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly called Sir John, has “goofed bigtime” in his allegations against the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Sir John on Monday accused President John Dramani Mahama of orchestrating the accident of the NPP 2012 Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

At a hurriedly arranged press conference, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie blamed national security officials in connivance with the NDC for the incident.

Commenting on the circumstances that might have led to the near-fatal accident, Sir John told the media that he suspects foul play by the incumbent government because according to him, the accident occurred at the President’s hometown, Bole.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was involved in a close fatal accident on the Bole Bamboi road in the Northern Region on Sunday. Two of the tyres of his brand new Toyota Land Cruiser V8 in a convoy reportedly burst on the way, compelling the vehicle to somersault several times resulting in the accident.

The former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana was airlifted to the Lister Hospital in Accra and has since been recuperating at his residence at Kanda.

Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, speaking in an interview with Hello FM, intimated that; “Bole happens to be the same place where the party’s Chairman, Jake Obetsebi- Lamptey also had his accident and now Dr. Bawumia, does it not create suspicion? I feel there is an orchestration…”

He also claimed to have evidence to the effect that President Mahama with support from the National Security, was on a mission to assassinate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

He therefore doubted the commitment by the Police service to unravel the mystery surrounding the sudden accident of the party’s Veep and so, revealed that the NPP will conduct its own investigations to ascertain the truth.

This he admitted led him to tow the mangled vehicle from the accident scene to the manufacturers for them to commence investigations into the accident.

“I do not trust whatever this administration will order its NDC policemen to undertake - If we leave it in the hands of the police nothing will be done,” he told an Accra-based radio station.

He further opined that; “It was important and proper that we did what we did. Nothing stops the police from conducting their own investigations if they want. This is a country where people can get away with murder and that is why it is in our interest to conduct the investigations ourselves…”

Following the comments by Sir John, Kweku Baako believes he has blown the issues out of proportion.

He slammed him on Peace FM’s panel discussion programme “Kokrokoo” Wednesday morning, stating firmly that the NPP General Secretary adopted a wrong approach by accusing the president of complicity in the accident without any solid proof.

To him, Sir John jumped the gun by openly voicing distrust of the security agencies and should have waited for a Police report to know the details of the unfortunate incident.

He therefore expressed worry over Sir John’s conduct, stressing that his latest action “is highly irresponsible. As irresponsible as Dr. Josiah Aryeh (then NDC's General Secretary) Rojo Mettle Nunoo and Jerry Rawlings were when Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni had his accident in September, 2004…”

These leaders, he emphasized, exhibited similar traits in the annals of Ghana’s history but their positions were condemned; a reason why Sir John cannot be left off the hook.

Speaking to host Kwami Sefa-Kayi on Peace FM, Kweku Baako called on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party to courageously distance themselves from the allegations put out by the party’s General Secretary.

“What Sir John is doing is that he is seeing an umbrella. It’s wrong. Let the police focus on the matter. Let them investigate it…I think that the NPP as a party and its leadership especially must actually distance themselves from this allegation that Sir John has made,” he said.
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana