THE WOES OF A WOMAN

PROLOGUE

At this time, I don’t really know my strength but just what I need is just one slot to run my dream into reality, fit into my personality and become my own success. A life I pray for, a dream I anticipate, an opportunity I hope for.

Born twins, a boy and a girl; my first opportunity slipped by as I never saw the handsome face of a brother. Raised by a woman of virtue, I embraced the curse of single parenting. My first light of the day was when I smiled in the midst of strange people, hearing strange and distant voices but what I remember is the joy of a mother cuddling me up in the hospital amidst cheers and well-wishes after a safe delivery by professional medical personnel.

{As I rest on the same sick bed on which my mother died, I read out the chapters of my life.}

CHAPTER ONE {Tilly’s Life Account}

My mother who always hid herself from family and friends to avoid the possibility of being disgraced was only sixteen years when she gave birth. Disowned by a father and facing incessant chastisement from a mother, Tilly Mensah; originally named by her parents, could not stand the test of time but absconded from her parental home. She was born and bred in a wonderful home in Bantama, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region but later dossed around streets in the capital city.

Commonly called by her nickname, Tilly Baby was the finest lady in town. She had everything because the parents were fabulously rich. Tilly Baby never lacked anything she requested, that was home sweet home. She attended one of the best schools in Kumasi, Alpha and Omega International, and later furthered to Yaa Asantewaah Secondary School (YASS).

Tilly Baby was a good girl, beautiful, intelligent but very naughty. I guess that was her worst enemy (yeah naughty). She always wanted to explore. As curious as she was, she would never let off anything she wanted to know.
Dad and Mum cherished their little angel but things turned sour when the love of the parents grew cold towards her. This was as a result of Tilly’s irrepressible behavior. She would go berserk whenever the parents exercised some level of control over her. She was a fully-grown lady now, at the age of sixteen.

She learnt a lot from friends. Yes, she really learnt a lot from friends!

At YASS, Tilly was entangled by the act of lesbianism. She became a member of the high class society in school due to her riches in abundance.

Like a bird who has no worry, Tilly started hopping from lesbianism to bottles to weeds and from weeds to men, not boys, and even “guys” was of a lower rank to her. She was so enamored with every man in a car, not taxi I mean.

She was better off with the big men and never paid attention to their wives. During one of her usual outings at the Yegola Nightclub, she met her fifteenth sugar daddy and they exchanged pleasantries. That was how the intimate conversation begun but this man was not ready to splash out on her without getting down her pants.

After gulping some bottles of beer, Tilly was fully-loaded inside out; so drunk and couldn’t realize how dazed she was that night out with Mr. Willie Duncan of Willie-D Financial Services. He drove Tilly in his Infiniti to his apartment; apparently that’s where he screws the young chicks.

Did Tilly realize she had not returned to her boarding home in school? No!

{Lights on, cool sensual music playing}

Willie-D quickly removed his shirt, opened his flap and got rid of his long pair of trousers and at long last a huge weapon was triggered in his boxer shorts ready to commit crime against humanity.

And there was this sixteen year old beauty queen lying on his bed with her legs straddled.

{Lights off, still cool sensual music playing}

All one could hear were sounds…oooosh…

Now, the consciousness of being defiled was revived in the Tilly’s mind. She then struggled to push the bulldozer off her but was overpowered by the sex-starved Chief Executive Officer of Willie-D Financial Services.

She shouted woefully amidst pains and resentment but I guess an angry serpent takes precaution before it launches an attack. Mr. Willie Duncan had it all planned well that the apartment was located at a very secluded place where no one bothered to venture.

After some minutes of steamy hot sex, Tilly was given 2 million cedis and bid goodbye.
She returned to school and kept it a secret, planning her next move to abort her shame but plans failed due to her fear of death. She therefore confided in a friend but faced her worst nightmare of betrayal when news spread all over campus that “Miss Tilly Baby has been bonked”. She couldn’t bear the shame and stigma anymore and therefore tried to end her life but her courage disappeared.

After few months, symptoms of pregnancy showed up and she was warmly escorted out of school to start her family in the house. That’s how Tilly Mensah born to Mr. and Mrs. Owusu Mensah begun her journey of misery.
Tramping about in Accra, she embarked on a sad journey. That was hard, the beginning and the end were tough. Is this the life she ever wanted? No!

CHAPTER TWO {My Life Account}

My name is Christabel Mensah, popularly referred to as Angel. I was born twin but my brother; I was told, died before I could say Hi. Tilly Mensah is my mother and she died four years ago leaving me alone to fight against the hazards of life.

This is my story...

My mother was the worst but the best mother I ever had. “Worst” because she would never let go of her past experiences. They ruled her life and controlled her actions. She resented every living creature called man but became an object of sex for them. By having sex with every man she stumbled upon and destroying their homes, she was convinced and satisfied she was doing the right thing.

This led to her sudden death after one night out unprotected exposed her to HIV/AIDS and rendered her HIV-positive. My mother died of the disease but the best thing about her was when on her sick bed, she said to me “Girl, the life that I lived is hard to define, live yours wisely.”


Tears trickled down my face. My Mum was long gone and I was only fourteen years old. How could I survive without her? She loved me and provided everything. The bitter part is I don’t even know my grandparents; whether they are alive or also dead.
I don’t have a close friend because my mother never gave chance for that to happen. I was still in Junior High School and had not even finished paying off my fees. We live in a rented apartment but I don’t know if my mother fully paid up her debt.
Several thoughts swam through my mind as I held my mother’s hand in agony. The doctors and nurses would not let me go down that lane. They told me it is well but deep down my heart I had lost a mother.

She was swaddled in a white cloth and rushed to the morgue. I wish I could bid her goodbye; I wish I could ask, when will you be back? But she never heard my screams; she was silent and never listened to my voice.

Oh Lord! What am I going to do all alone in this lonely world? I don’t have a clue to the answers.

That day I slept with her in the hospital. I cried profusely but my tears could not rain down on her dead body to revive her back to life. And this is how my Mum left me with nobody in this world.

CHAPTER THREE {after death, what next?}

So, four years after my mother’s departure, I have grown into a big girl of eighteen years. How did I survive?
That day before I left the hospital, I met Mr. Franklin Graham who volunteered to make me one of his children. My foster dad took care of me. He was a doctor or should I say he is a doctor? Yes, he works at the Ridge hospital in Accra.


He saw the pains in my eyes and devoted to take good care of me. He transported me to my foster home and family where I lived till eighteen years. When I reached home, I was kindly welcomed and I thought everything would be rosy now. I greeted my foster Mum who then directed me to my well-kept room. I was happy and nearly forgot the misery of losing my own mother. Each and every day, I would wake up to see a well-laid table with dishes of food enough to satisfy my stomach. I was leaving in a haven where my joy was abundant and my peace was secure.

I was enrolled into a Roman Catholic school because my foster family were all members of the Catholic church. In fact, I never did any house chores because we had a house help and therefore lived like any of my siblings. In school, I did my best to study hard and passed my B.E.C.E with distinction.

The hardships then begun when I turned out to be much clever than my siblings. After I received my B.E.C.E results slip, I happily came home shouting and making merry with the idea that my parents would be happy for their daughter but things took a different turn when I showed it to them and received no feedback. I could virtually read aggression on the face of my mother and shock on my father’s. I became the cynosure of all eyes as everybody watched me and the message I could read from their behavior was; they are habouring something bitter within.


Why? Aren’t they happy I’ve passed?

I therefore walked up to my room and buried my head in thought.

CHAPTER FOUR {my woes}

The subsequent events…

My foster family’s relationship turned sour towards me. Now, my dinning periods were shortened and I was relegated to the kitchen to eat and wash all the plates. This I thought was another step to teach me how to be a good wife but it turned out to be a punishment for no reason as it became a daily routine.

My siblings always abstained themselves from me though it was not a decision they had to make. I felt like a monster if not a devil in the house. My line of conversation with my family was cut and hopes for the future were gradually diminishing.

My Duty Roster…

Though I used to wake up early, I had never woken up at dawn to do any house chore or whatsoever before. But I had to battle with my hours of sleep since I virtually had none, just working and working with no pity. They wouldn’t beat me up should I skip any house chores but would deprive me of food and even water to bathe for days to compensate their anger. I didn’t still know my wrong to merit such consequences of my actions and none of them was ready to let me in on what has apparently necessitated the reactions of my parents and siblings.


I did the ironing, washed the utensils and clothes, scrubbed the toilet and bathrooms. These I did with no regrets but pains and sorrow.

I remember one day when I was washing the utensils, a plate slipped through my fingers and broke into pieces as if to aggravate my woes and plights. That day I had my first merciless beating. Sometimes, I thought it was all a nightmare or probably scenes in movies but I felt the pains all over my body and this couldn’t have been any of the two.

My room was closed and I was compelled to share a room with the gatekeeper in the house.


I had enough of this treatment and it was time to know my fault. I then accosted my mother to at least tell me my fault but she rained insults and curses on me. In fact, she cursed my dead mother too.

My mistake…

At this time, I had the Almighty God to settle scores with. So, whenever I f0und myself all alone, I prayed to Him. I told God to change my situation and bring back the love of my parents but every day was another day of misery, pain and bitterness.

I thought God was also fed up with me. But He wasn’t; I didn’t just believe He would pull me through.

CHAPTER FIVE {the bitter pill}

My dad traveled abroad to undergo some medical training which meant that I was left in the custody of a woman who despised me for nothing. Though my dad sometimes applauded her for meting out horrible punishments on me, he would never have condoned his wife’s cruel acts.

His absence upgraded my misery. I was tormented and left to my fate. Not that I didn’t attempt going on a suicidal mission but I feared losing my life. My mother in full glare of my siblings poured hot water on me because I knocked a brother for calling me a witch.

I couldn’t have a wink of sleep since I was always in a pensive mood and the only one who seemed to care was Nana Kwame, our gatekeeper. Anytime he saw me thinking, he would cuddle me up and inject me with some words of inspiration which always soothed the pains in me.

My mother would never give me a reason for penalizing me, yet she justified all her actions. In fact, at that moment of torment, I knew my dream of furthering my education was shattered.

The worst happened a night after I was heavily slapped by my mother for not washing my siblings’ clothes on time. That night I lamented like I’ve had a fresh start of my biological mother’s death.

Where was my mother’s spirit? Has she not seen and heard enough? These were questions I never had answers to.

In my lamentations, the only person I could confide in was Nana Kwame who took advantage of my sorrow that night. I was in his arms and he held me tight to console me. But his consolation was not his intent, he had a different agenda. He told me everything will be okay and I should not cry again. He pumped sweet words into me that cooled me down. He always had a way to make me feel lively again.

But this moment, his motive was far from what I thought. After running his hands through my hair, I innocently slept. Then I felt some rough palms crawling on my skin. I immediately was awakened to the idea of rape. His hands were later paving way in my pants. I liked it but it was hurting me, then I smelled a rat in his attempts.

I jumped onto my feet and warned him to quit or else, I will scream but I knew that would have ended me in more trouble since my mum had warned me never to shout in the house again.

I was afraid to shout nonetheless I only wanted to use it as a tool to ward off Nana Kwame’s sexual attempts. But as a creepy cat ready to pounce on a mouse never fears the sound of its mother, he was not even perturbed by my attempt to scream. He grabbed me angrily and firmly, pushed me on the mattress and deflowered me.

I had been raped but I couldn’t tell anyone.

CHAPTER SIX {my mistake II}

My dad arrived from his long trip and supplied us with new clothes and shoes. Though he witnessed the actions by his wife towards me, he never uttered a word to her. This is called abetment; he condoned, concealed and abetted his wife’s despicable actions.

I hid my sexual relation with the gatekeeper from them because I was scared and feared being disgraced. I continued my sexual acts with him, I enjoyed it and besides he gave me money whenever he returned from my mother’s supermarket.
After a month, I couldn’t hide it anymore since it became obvious to everyone. I was vomiting and turned pale. My mother saw it but I denied it. She beat me up but I denied it. My dad was angry and backed her wife to beat me up.

I couldn’t hide it anymore from the doctor and therefore told a lie to protect Nana Kwame; a mistake I made. My parents’ unending quest to find the truth left me with no option than to tell them I was pregnant.

They asked: Who’s responsible for your pregnancy? Then I told a lie.

My answer…

That day we attended Uncle Fred’s party, I was raped by an unknown man.

{It was ridiculous though but they believed my lie.}


Dad said he could not take care of me anymore and labeled me as a prostitute. Mum said I am a disgrace to the Graham’s family. Though nobody threw me out of the house, two weeks after my confession; I walked out and never returned.
Nana Kwame did not ever call me, he did not care. He never sought my hideout. He also left me to my fate. I thought I was protecting him but I should not have trusted him.

I went far away from my foster home to settle at Sodom and Gomorrah where the fun begun.


CHAPTER SEVEN {the fun}

I stepped into the shoes of my dead mother after making my first abortion in life. I jumped into bed with every person with a front stick. It was sweet because they paid me well. I was always working in the night.

My breakfast, supper, dinning and shopping all came from my night work. They call it prostitution but I call it a night flight. In order to go down with more customers a night, I smoked hard and injected myself with heroin. Who supplied all the drugs? The drug peddlers did.

I had every narcotic to make me strong in every sexual activity. I didn’t have a need for a child, so I protected myself (if it’s not on, it’s not in). A certain night after my normal sex sessions and heading home, I was met by a very deplorable situation.

I boarded a vehicle fully-loaded with three guys, a driver and passengers. I directed the driver to my house but later realized he had taken a different route along a certain bushy stretch of road. I told the driver he had taken the wrong path, he affirmatively responded and that night, I was gang raped.

I never told anyone because I didn’t want anyone to know about it. The incident resulted in another pregnancy and I aborted to bury the truth.

I was not only engaged in sex activity but also I was a stripper. My striptease took me overseas when I was contracted by a certain white guy who came down to catch some fun with black ladies. I embarked on a long trip to the United States of America where I counted my money in dollars and also had enough men to satisfy their libido.


At this moment, I thought life was all about sex, money and entertainment. I forgot I had a father and family in heaven who were watching every step I took in my journey of life.

I was ruling my own empire. I was rich, proud and extravagant but lost my joy. I was not happy. All along I had a strong conviction that all these were bad. I continued my new career though my dream was to become an advocate and human rights activist. This dream was long gone and given way for my sexcapade. I tried to stop but whenever I paused, I was sex-starved and needed refueling of my sex tank.

My mum before she died said: “Girl, the life that I lived is hard to define, live yours wisely.”

The truth is I was a perfect contradiction of my mum’s expectation.

CHAPTER EIGHT {the aftermath}

During one of my outings, I met this good-looking man who approached me but to my uttermost surprise asked for friendship instead of the usual thing. He introduced himself as the ‘Lucky man’; a name I found very strange though I did not bother to demand further explanation.

I guess I was also interested in him. He was very handsome and articulate. He had a manly voice and when I heard him say hello, I melted before responding hi. He was looking presentable in his suit and nice slim tie. His white set of teeth sparkled and his smile stole me away from my seat to his table where we both swigged down some fine exotic wines. In addition to all the beautiful features of Mr. Lucky man, he was also a Ghanaian.

We had a very intimate but friendly conversation and later exchanged mobile numbers. We therefore advanced our intimacy on the phone till I knew his residence and he knew mine too. I virtually learnt everything about him and he seemingly learnt a lot about me.


His main concern was what a pretty girl like me was doing at the nightclub in the late hours of the day. This I presumed was a stupid question to ask but I did what I know best; I lied. In response, I told him a friend took me there to chill out a bit and sweep my stress and worries away. Again, someone believed me but he believed because he had his own hidden motives.
After some months, I was head over heels in love with him and we started a passionate lovey-dovey relationship. We had the relationship for two years. He knew I was rich and I believe that was the reason he quickly jumped when I said yes to his proposal.

As the adage goes; not everything that glitters is gold, I realized behind his presentable looks, he was as broke as a church mouse. Actually, he had come to America to push his luck. In the name of love, I fed him with my riches. I was sincere about my feelings towards him and I was thinking of quitting my sex addiction and striptease. I changed his wardrobe, bought him a car and sometimes took charge of his rent. In fact, all he had to do was to ask and it shall be given, seek and he shall find, knock and I shall open the door.


To him, I was a banker yet he never bothered to find out the name of my bank or even pay me a visit in my bank. All this while, I allowed love to overshadow my sense of judgment and reasoning. There was every indication my fiancé was not intensely in love with me but I was blinded by love.


CHAPTER NINE {why I’m telling my story}

Since the rule was to ask, he exploited my openness and kindness. He told me several stories about his sister’s health and requested huge amounts of money from me. Though I didn’t ever get the chance to see his sister, I gladly gave out my money to him to save his sister’s life.

The next story was when he told me his Ex-girlfriend had threatened to sue him for dumping her. I didn’t understand why but the simple reason was he banged her and the Ex-girlfriend on the basis of such mishap wants to blackmail him. I therefore gave him money as requested to compensate her.

I realized all that this guy sought was my money but I sincerely loved him and was not ready to hurt him. Yet his incessant demands were not over and he never probed to find out the real source of my wealth. I kept paying him without complaints though I didn’t understand any of this. I mean why would he ask me for almost everything when he is a man and can work too?
I remember one specific Thursday in his apartment; I brought the issue up and asked why he never bought anything for me yet demanded everything from me. He became angry because he accused me of plotting to jilt him. He threw me out of his apartment in anger and stopped picking up my calls from weeks to months.


I therefore sent him several texts to express how sorry I am but received no feedbacks. We later came back together after he accepted my apology. Then he resorted to making demands for sex which I easily gave in to please his ego. I was still a stripteaser and a professional one as such but he was completely ignorant of it. However, I had stopped having sex outside and even in my five years of fervid sex activities, I stayed protected.

He never did anything for me except we were under the bed sheet.

My fiancé and I were happily back together and everything seemed to be alright again until he requested a very exorbitant amount of money to start a business. A business he said would bring us great fortunes. He told me he had secured a lucrative contract with a certain Chief Executive Officer of a certain company (I don’t really remember the name of the company) who was ready to consign to him computers, television sets and office appliances worth 20 million dollars.

The money he requested was very huge but he promised to refund it as soon as he starts his business. I agreed to help him out even though the money I had in my account was only a quarter of the money he requested. I therefore phoned my friends who gave me some money to add up to what I had in my account but with surety that I will refund it ASAP. I also contacted some wealthy men I knew in our society and they also helped amidst demands for sex which I craftily declined.

CHAPTER TEN

Albeit, the money I got was not fully up to the 20 million dollars, however, it was moderate and I gave it to him and told him to also contact his colleagues for the rest. In fact, I emptied my account to help my fiancé.

He collected it, thanked me and bolted without leaving traces. He cut off his telephone line and covered his traces so that I could not find him anywhere. During our relationship, he introduced me to a certain guy who he said was his friend, so I quickly rushed to him to inquire about his possible whereabouts. His friend told me the day after I gave him the money, he told him (his friend) he was returning to Ghana.

That’s the only information he could give me. I immediately burst into tears; my heart was broken beyond repair. I cried like a baby and my only solace was my former self.

He was also gone. The man I truly loved and trusted took my life away.

That day I was so broke, even his friend provided money for my transportation. I went to the club and drank myself to the point of death.

I don’t remember what else happened that night but Ameyaw, this is why I’m on this sick bed HIV-positive and very weak. I guess my dream as an advocate and human rights activist has now been fulfilled as you will be my mouthpiece for the women out there.

EPILOGUE

And this was the last thing she told me before passing on to glory. She was my friend too and her dead mum was once a friend. Christy as I used to call her was only 26 years old and died at age 26 in her motherland; Ghana. She could have survived but the poison she took had adverse effect on her and rendered her lifeless.

You may blame her for her woes. You may insult her for her stupidity. You may chastise her for trusting a man who deserved not. You may blame her mother for leaving so soon. You may curse her foster family for rejecting her. You may punish her for the life she lived. But did she really have a choice?

Day in and Day out, we hear cries of women brutalized by men. We hear stories of abortion and rape cases. We hear women battered and butchered to death or a state of unconsciousness. What have they really done to merit these actions?

Mothers are left to single-parent a family. Daughters are left to the mercy of men. Ladies are left to the misery of their lives. But none chose a life like this. Some are just tormented by events in life but they need ME and YOU to put a stop to this cruel nature.

SAVE A LADY TODAY AND SHE WILL GROW TO BIRTH JOY TOMORROW…
By Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw

GIMPA SRC President Decries Partisan Politics On School Campuses

A student leader at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Kadri Alhassan, has urged students in the various tertiary institutions to desist from the practice of partisan politics on campus.

He condemned institutions which offer their platforms for partisan politics, stating that such practice breeds corruption.

He said in an interview on the Big bite show on X fm that students who engage in active partisan politics become objects of influence for political parties.

“I have consistently said that I am terribly disappointed in the fact that we have allowed partisan politics to become a feature of our student politics and this is admittedly quite widespread.” he stressed.

Kadri Alhassan, the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) President of GIMPA, explained that student leaders have the mandate to project the image of their schools but not serve the interest of political parties.

He argued that “once you accommodate partisanship in your student politics, you defeat the purpose of it. For instance, I have the mandate of GIMPA students and my fundamental role is to promote the interest of GIMPA students. Now, if you have that mandate and you are using that mandate to promote the interest of for instance; the NPP, the PNC, the NDC and so on, you clearly defeat the purpose of it. ”

He blamed students for allowing political parties to infiltrate politics in institutions. He further noted that politics on campus have become an expensive venture as students demand money from political parties to support their agenda.

This he decried makes the students susceptible to the parties and as a result, they carry out their duties in compliance with the directives of the parties.

He therefore advised students to wean themselves off the control of partisanship on their various campuses.

“We can make progress. We just need to begin to appreciate that our mandate does not include the mandate of political parties. And so with this type of attitude, I’m sure we will make progress.” he concluded.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Xfm 95.1/Accra/Ghana

General Mosquito- NDC needs Ex- President JJ Rawlings

NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has admitted the role of the founder Jerry John Rawlings is vital to the party’s victory in the elections this year.

According to him, ousting the founder from the party would spell doom for the National Democratic Congress and implored the leadership of the party to ensure total compliance with the party’s constitution.

Though Ex-President Rawlings has since the ascension of the ruling NDC been firing salvo at the rank and file of the party, his leadership traits cannot be underrated as General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, stated that as Chairman of the Council of Elders and member of the National Executive Council of the party, Mr. Rawlings has been involved in all party functions.

He explained that “You can’t say the party does not need its founder…I am not sure that the party would at any point in time decide that we don’t need our founder because it’s a historical fact that the party was established based on the leadership foundation of Flt. Lt. Rawlings.”

He indicated that the Council of Elders chaired by former President Rawlings is tasked to resolve party conflicts.

Following the interdiction of Kofi Adams, Deputy General Secretary and Spokesperson of the founder, former President Rawlings on Tuesday condemned the decision by the National Executive Council of the party in a statement which read:

“When you find yourself in an unintended pit or hole the wise thing to do is to stop digging. It does not appear the Mills government is able to see the growing darkness around them. They have lost so much moral high ground and now one of the most truthful, forceful, logically minded personalities of integrity in the party leadership is being treated like an outcast to serve a parochial and unpatriotic interest.

“Do we need any other evidence to demonstrate that the Mills government has no intention of profiting from the truth? Ghana needs a real and true awakening. The government is fast speeding the country into an abyss and as Easter draws near, let us seek God’s guidance in honest, unpretentious prayer of supplication.”

It is obvious Ex-President Rawlings is in contention with the leadership of the party and does not support his Spokesperson’s suspension.

But the General Secretary of the party says the decision to interdict Kofi Adams does not defy the constitution of the party.

He said in an interview with Xfm 95.1 that Kofi Adams is a Spokesperson for former President Rawlings but not the founder and so, the national executives do not have to consult with Mr. Rawlings before a decision is reached.

He reiterated the party executives have revoked the membership of Kofi Adams but stressed the interdiction does not impinge on his position as the Spokesperson of former President Rawlings.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Xfm 95.1/Accra/Ghana

Kassena Nankana biometric boycott- residents finger DCE

A resident of Akurugu Dabor in the Kassena Nankana District of the Upper East region has accused the District Chief Executive (DCE), Emmanuel Andimah, of being a mastermind behind the name change of the electoral area and wreaking havoc at the district.

Residents of the area have boycotted the biometric registration exercise over agitations that the electoral area has been changed from its original name.

The residents have resented the change of name from Atu-fali – Azasi to Akurugu Dabor, currently the polling centre for the district and threaten to boycott the registration process.

They claim Atu-fali – Azasi is the original name of the area and have protested against its transition to Akurugu Dabor which has since last two years been the electoral area.

Joe Amongya, a resident, explained to Xfm 95.1 that Akurugu Dabor is an “individual household” and cannot be represented as the entire electoral area, therefore calling for a reinstatement of the initial name –Atu-fali – Azasi.

He continued the controversy over the electoral area has birthed apathy in the residents towards the registration exercise.

He said several residents have since refused to register their names.

According to him, the DCE, under whose auspices the electoral area was changed, is anxious to counter attempts by the residents to restore calm in the area.

“…but the name of the area is called Atu-fali – Azasi. But then in the Electoral Commissioner’s office, initially it was Akurugu Dabor but later on, we had to go and do the correction by bringing in the original name that was initially called Atu-fali – Azasi. Not knowing that the DCE of the area didn’t like that name –Atu-fali – Azasi. So when that thing happened, the DCE protested it vehemently…the Atu-fali – Azasi is supposed to have an Assembly member but because of that issue, the DCE has prevented that thing to take place. There is no Assembly member for that particular area as I speak to you.” he stressed.

According to him, the DCE on a certain occasion swept the residents away from the electoral area, hence, preventing them from registering their names until the electoral area is restored to Akurugu Dabor. This he added has caused mayhem in the registration process at the Kadina Nakana district.

He stated the area is the stronghold of the governing party and dreaded the National Democratic Congress might lose votes in the district during the general elections.

He therefore called on the leadership of the party and government to revoke the appointment of the DCE.

Meanwhile, District Chief Executive, Emmanuel Andimah, has denied claims that he masterminded attempts to change the name of the area and refuted ever truncating the exercise in the district.

Though he confirmed that some residents have refused to register their names, he however ascribed it to technical glitches in the Biometric equipment.

He stated emphatically that the electoral area –Akurugu Dabor- was instituted in 2010 before the appointment of the District Chief Executive and so, he could not have been the originator of the new electoral area.

He however noted he is not anxious about the residents insisting to change the name of the electoral area but implored them to restore law and order.

The District Chief Executive and stakeholders in the area are making frantic efforts to resolve the conflict.

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

Government’s MGL boycott is in the right direction but… Yamin

General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress in the Ashanti Region, Joseph Yamin, has thrown his weight behind government’s decision to boycott her participation in activities on Multimedia networks in the country but admits government is pressing a dicey button.

To him, it does not auger well for the governing party to boycott Multimedia platforms considering the role of the media in this electioneering year.

He explained that the option to boycott Multimedia networks may impinge on government’s chances of having a second term in office come 2013.

“I may have to support my government’s decision because I’m a member of the government but I think that I can have some reservations, some reasons why I think that it will not be the best decision for us as a political party or a government. And so, even though I will have to abide by whatever directive that is issued by government and the party, I still think that we could put out some voices to at least indicate or put across that the view [that] is not in best interest of the party and government.” he expressed.

He further said the Multimedia’s role is integral to the progress of government and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party since the networks serve as a channel of information to the electorates.

He urged government to rather utilize Multimedia avenues to project her good works to Ghanaians.

He noted “the platform on which we stand should be mounted by somebody for us to stand on and talk to the people. And you don’t expect the media houses to be somehow whether loyal or affiliated to you but what you need is for you to get the platform to speak to your people; let the people know what exactly that you are doing. So, I have said with my little experience in politics and my working relation with journalists, you don’t need a journalist friend but you need a journalist to push your agenda. And that is what we will be losing if we continue to push this position.”

Joseph Yamin was reacting to recent agitations of the ruling NDC against Multimedia Group Ltd.

The Deputy Information Minister,James Agyenim Boateng, in the stead of government has secluded all Multimedia networks from government activities and also warned to boycott their platforms.

Though Joseph Yamin calls for government to sanction Multimedia for what he describes as “unfair and unfriendly” treatment by Multimedia towards government officials, he appealed on Xfm on Thursday morning that there should be a better way to take a move against the media.

He said Multimedia will be adversely affected should they be excluded from government functions but their impact should not be underrated. The multimedia he indicated has a wide listenership and so, it is in the best interest of government to reconsider her decision.

He advised the governing party officials to sort out their differences with them (Multimedia) and ensure there is sanity in their relations.

“It could be a bargaining chip for you to get some sanity in terms of the programmes that we do there but to travel for a certain period of time, definitely will have an impact on whichever political party that is doing that…”

“…I am appealing that we soften our stance because I being part of the media for sometime know what the media is capable of doing. And as I said, you don’t need the media to be your friend; you don’t need journalists to be your friends but you need them to push your agenda and that is what we need to do now. So yes, they may not be sympathetic towards us, their platform is very [very] important for us as a political party and a government to push our message to the people.” he stated.

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

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