University of Cape Coast Hails MP For Gomoa

The University of Cape Coast has hailed the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Rachel Appoh, for her youthful exuberance and victory in last year’s Parliamentary elections.

The Member of Parliament who consequently appears to be the youngest female Member of the Sixth Parliament under the fourth Republic was enormously praised for her inspirational role and determination.

The Gomoa Central MP transcended all boundaries, breaking the yoke of domination to make the list of Parliamentarians as an emblem of motivation to youths in Ghana.

Rachel Appoh was commended during the Valco Hall Week Celebration of the University, under the theme “Unity and Development, the role of the student.”

Delivering a speech on behalf of the Youth and Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, Hon. Appoh encouraged the students to equip themselves with practical expertise in order to empower them for the competitive job market.

She also made a call on the students not to engage in politics of insults as they pursue a career in politics but rather ensure peace and stability in the country.

She advised them to abstain from social vices which will be a canker in their pursuit of success.

Addressing the students, Hon. Appoh urged them to remain resolute explaining that “our role as students should be working towards achieving sustainable peace and stability in our country. Our aspirations of becoming DCEs, MMCEs, MPs, Speakers of Parliament and even Presidents can never be achieved if the peace we are enjoying in this country is disrupted…As intellectuals, we can always argue but it should not degenerate into tribal and political insults.”

She further called for unity to exist among the students irrespective of their political and religious affiliation, imploring them to stay focused on their academics and aspirations.
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

O. B Amoah: Mahama Ayariga Acts Spontaneously

Former Deputy Education and Sports Minister, O.B Amoah has diagnosed the conduct of the incumbent Minister of Information, Mahama Ayariga revealing his problem as a person who acts spontaneously to situations.

According to him, the Minister lacks the ability to assess situations before jumping out to disseminate information to the masses.

Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Information, last Friday took full responsibilty for the blunder regarding the name of the official seat of government, the Flagstaff House.

There were reports a couple of weeks ago that the name of the Presidential palace has been changed from Flagstaff House to Jubilee Flagstaff House. This according to the Minister was intended to end the controversy surrounding the edifice.

The controversy over the name change started when the Kufour government after establishing the edifice, named it Golden Jubilee House to mark Ghana’s 50 Independence Anniversary. Upon the inception of the Mills-Mahama administration, the name was reverted to Flagstaff House which critics argued is a relic of the colonial years.

Speaking in an interview with Kwami Sefa-Kayi, host of Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” on Wednesday, March 13, he revealed that the Flagstaff House has been changed to Jubilee Flagstaff House. He noted that the two names were amalgamated so as to “make progress and we focus on what is happening in Jubilee Flagstaff House and not the name."

The initiative saw the nation torn into parts as some critics scolded government over the new name while others went in favour of the government.

Former Presidential staffer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Stan Dogbe denied any intention to change the name and apologized to Ghanaians for the blunder.

In an attempt to retract the information, Hon. Ayariga in an interview with an Accra-based radio station admitted that he is “responsible for every government communication and have the ultimate say in whatever it is government seeks to communicate. Sometimes there are some mistakes in the way we carry out our respective assignments. Sometimes you have serious challenges trying to manage the situation. This is one such instance where there was a little misunderstanding when it came to the proper naming of the seat of government.”

He therefore blamed himself for the falsehood regarding the Flagstaff House, stating that; "we are going to get a system where ultimately, we will always get the right information and matters won’t be left hanging in a state of controversy and we won’t know who to hold responsible. I am saying hold me, Mahama Ayariga, responsible anytime there is a problem with government communication.”

However, Hon. O. B Amoah described the Minister’s goof as an “unforgiveable blunder”.

He told Peacefmonline.com that Mahama Ayariga “talks too early. The moment a matter comes, he jumps in. But as Information Minister, you don’t have to be jumping in quickly. You have to find out what is really going on before you come in so that when you come in; you have sought all the answers. Then what you say is final, so that you don’t backtrack on what you say.”

“His problem is that he jumps into situations too early and that’s why all these blunders are being caused”, hence advised him to crosscheck his facts before putting them out.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

O.B. Amoah: Reveal The Identities of The “Anonymous” Philanthropists Sponsoring Pastors

Member of Parliament for Akuapem South, Osei Bonsu Amoah has called on government to reveal the identities of the “anonymous” philanthropists who have offered to sponsor some Pastors in the country on a trip to Israel.

Speaking to Peacefmonline.com, he asked government to demystify the travel by 200 Pastors to the Israeli nation for historic purposes.

Government, through the Coordinator of the Jerusalem pilgrimage, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, in a statement on Monday, March 18, 2013, denied reports that the ruling National Democratic Congress is sponsoring some “200 Pastors affiliated to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Israel at the cost of $2million.”

According to Afriyie-Ankrah, who doubles as the Youth and Sports Minister, the total cost of the sponsorship package for the pilgrims is estimated at $600,000, not the initial amount reported in the media.

The money is said to cater for the air fare, hotels and feeding of the Pastors.

The government also denied any attempts to dole out $10,000 to each pilgrim as per diem.

Disclosing the facts, the Coordinator of the trip explained that; “over the years, various Christian and Church organizations have called on government to sponsor and address the various challenges they have encountered during their holy trips to Israel.

In the process, and with the increase in the number of pilgrims, some Ghanaian philanthropists offered to provide sponsorship for this year's trip.

“It is in response to these several calls that Government then decided to facilitate and coordinate the Pilot Pilgrimage to Israel, to help address some of the challenges Christian groups have encountered on past trips which is nothing new just as government has been doing for the Holy Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj to Mecca.”

The statement further read: "It is also untrue that during the tenure of late Prof. JEA Mills, he organized a similar trip and gave each person $10,000 as per diem...the government is NOT sponsoring the trip from the state coffers but only facilitating and coordinating the process and has no involvement in the selection of the prospective pilgrims from the various bodies that would suggest an “NDC Pastors Pilgrimage.”

In spite of the clarification, the Akuapem South MP and former Sports Minister, O.B. Amoah has implored government to divulge the unidentified entities behind the trip and ensure transparency in its activities.

He alerted government to come out with a detailed account of the pilgrimage so as to unravel the mysteries.

He therefore made several calls on government, asking “Those who claim that they want to be anonymous but still want to sponsor a trip by government, what is in it for them? How will they benefit? That’s the first thing we need to know…Why should they use the letterhead of State Protocol?”

“Which particular Pastors made the request? And how come they made the offer to other Pastors who said they are not interested?” he rhetorically questioned.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Odike: Ghana Is At The Verge of “Economic Despondency” If...

The 2012 Presidential candidate of the United Front Party (UFP) says Ghana is at the verge of “economic despondency” if government does not become innovative in her approach to building a fortified economy.

Akwasi Addai Odike, popularly called Odike, expressed disappointment in the way the economy is run and called on government to change tactics in order to boost the economy.

According to him, Ghanaians are saddled with challenges which should be a matter of concern to the government. The government, he said, should ensure cohesion in the nation.

He also emphasized the need for government to adopt innovative ideas to enhance the progress of the nation. To him, Ghana should be a high export earner by building interest in the production of local goods.

Odike in an interview with Peacefmonline.com Monday morning lamented the current state of the economy under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC.

“Our economy is not doing well…We are suffering. Ghanaians are suffering and the reason being that we are not producing. We are not exporting. We are not bringing innovations that will turn the fortunes of this nation around. So, unemployment rate is high,” he noted.

He believed the nation is paying a price for the blunders of governments in addressing the exact challenges confronting the Ghanaian citizenry, and outlined his vision, saying Ghana can develop if the government engages the nation in a “transfer of technology.”

This he explained is ensuring that government establishes several industries across the nation in order to create more jobs for the citizens.

Speaking in relation to the brouhaha about government doling out an amount of money to some Pastors in the nation to embark on a pilgrimage to Israel, he expounded that there is nothing wrong with government facilitating the pilgrimage of 200 Pastors, but hoped the monies involved do not emanate from the purse of the government.

He however appealed to government to address pertinent issues bothering Ghanaians.

The UFP Flagbearer was optimistic of the future of the economy but made demands on government stating that; “We need to bring in innovations. We need to change the way we do things. The seat of the government name does not make any impact on the ordinary people. All that we need is a government who can do things that will promote peace; that will bring a lot of national cohesion. A government that will make sure our needs are being taken care of.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Count Us Out...Prayers Can Be Heard By God Irrespective Of Venue

The President of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Ghana, Joseph Osei Bonsu has called on government to rather expend the monies that might be alloted for the Christian Community to embark on a pilgrimage to Israel, to deprived areas in the country to help develop those communities.

Speaking in an interview with Okay FM, Bishop Joseph Osei Bonsu explained that it is unnecessary for such sums of monies to be doled out to Christians to travel to Israel at the expense of improving the lives of the marginalised and underdeveloped sectors of the economy.

Reports trickled in last Thursday from news sources that the government was alloting an amount of $2 million to fund the travel of some Pastors to Israel to allegedly pray for the country and President John Dramani Mahama.

According to a Daily Guide publication on March 14, 2013, “each Pastor would be given $10,000 amounting to $2 million, to cover their cost of air fare, hotel bills, feeding and perdiem.”

The report further revealed that “on February, 15, 2013, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, who is currently the Minister of Youth and Sports, wrote on the letterhead of the State Protocol Office inviting Christian bodies to select nominees for this rare trip.

In the letter (Reference number SPO. C/09) signed by him and addressed to one of such Christian bodies, a copy of which is available to Daily Guide, he said “The Government of the Republic of Ghana has secured sponsorship to take two hundred (200) Ghanaians from the Christian Community on a pilgrimage to Israel. Your Council has been allocated ten (10) slots from the list.”

But the Catholic Church has distanced itself from government’s offer.

According to Bishop Osei Bonsu, it is virtually unadvisable for any Christian to accept such an offer since prayer when rendered to the Most High in any part of the nation will be heard by Him.

He further explained the exact position of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Ghana on the subject.

“Our position is that if Christians will go some place to pray or not, it's not government’s duty. It is not part of the work that government is mandated to do. Secondly, the money that we are going to waste on the 200 people to travel abroad or to Israel; that money can be used for other appropriate venture.”

“It is unimportant to spend too much on those 200 people to travel to Israel to go and pray. It is not just Pastors but all Christians. Our position is that we won’t participate,” he stressed.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Government Is Not Sponsoring 200 Pastors To Israel - Ras Mubarak

A leading member of the government's Communication team, Ras Mubarak has denied media reports that the Mahama-led NDC is sponsoring about 200 selected Pastors to embark on a trip to Israel.

Reports trickled in from news sources that the government was alloting an amount of $2 million to fund the travel of some Pastors to Israel to allegedly pray for President John Dramani Mahama.

According to a Daily Guide publication on Thursday, March 14, 2013, “each Pastor would be given $10,000 amounting to $2 million, to cover their cost of air fare, hotel bills, feeding and perdiem.”

The report further revealed that “on February, 15, 2013, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, who is currently the Minister of Youth and Sports, wrote on the letterhead of the State Protocol Office inviting Christian bodies to select nominees for this rare trip.

In the letter (Reference number SPO. C/09) signed by him and addressed to one of such Christian bodies, a copy of which is available to Daily Guide, he said “The Government of the Republic of Ghana has secured sponsorship to take two hundred (200) Ghanaians from the Christian Community on a pilgrimage to Israel. Your Council has been allocated ten (10) slots from the list.”

The letter also asked each group to nominate 10 members for the trip.

There were speculations that the Pastors are tasked to seek divine protection for President John Mahama regarding the prophecy of doom by Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah, Founder and Leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International.

But Ras Mubarak has debunked the report saying government is only facilitating the Pastors’ trip “in kind, not in cash”, also stating firmly that the government is not paying any sum of money to the men of God.

He explained that the Ministers of God made a request to the government during the reign of the late former President John Evans Atta Mills to embark on a pilgrimage to Israel but could not see their request through due to the demise of the President.

Upon inception of the Mahama-led NDC government, the request has been granted and the sole role that government is playing is to ensure that the Ministers travel to Israel without complications.

He revealed that the trip is rather sponsored financially by a private entity but did not disclose its identity. The private institution sees the need to dole out money to support the Pastors in Israel, therefore, the Mahama administration has done nothing wrong to facilitate their movement.

To him, government is committed to building a unified nation and so, won’t discriminate against the citizenry. He argued that if the Muslim community is assisted by governments to travel to Mecca during Hajj, then it is hypocritical for any person to kick against the commitment of government to create equity in the country.

“Why must it not be a problem to support or to facilitate the travel of muslims to Mecca but a problem if christians are being assisted?...2012 for instance; people from the Northern sector came to Accra. Government flew them in from the Northern sector to Accra for onward training to Mecca and that cost was being borne by government. And Ghanaians didn’t complain about the fact that government facilitated in getting Muslims from Northern sector to Greater Accra to travel.”

He further disclosed that the Kufour government in 2008 doled out $2 million to facilitate Muslim pilgrims, so the incumbent government is also creating an equal opportunity for the Christian community.

“A spiritual nation is a productive nation as well…Why must it be okay for us to help Muslims and not okay for us to help Christians?” he questioned.

He therefore stated emphatically that government will not fund the Ministers’ Israel trip.

“No government money was going to be used in this particular trip [I can tell you that on authority]. And that it was a group of private institutions or individuals who wanted to help our brethren in the Christian faith to travel to Israel. What government was doing, was merely to facilitate this trip.”

“They are not being sponsored by government as being put out by the media…No government money is going to be for this particular trip. Secondly, a group of Pastors have made a request that they would like for government to facilitate their travel to Israel, I mean this is something that any responsible government would do.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Government To Set Up a Monuments Committee?

Peacefmonline.com investigation reveals that President John Dramani Mahama may soon set up a Monument Committee, authorized to exercise an oversight responsibility over government facilities.

The Monument Committee will be given a constitutional right as part of the legislative body of Ghana to make decisions on properties that belong to the State.

Peacefmonline.com sources hinted that renaming of the seat of government from Flagstaff House to Jubilee Flagstaff House is in line with the President’s projection to set up a constitutional Committee in Parliament responsible for naming all government infrastructure in order not to commit them to the mercy of successive governments.

It disclosed that President Mahama is “thinking through to create a Committee within Parliament so that monuments in general, the naming should come from Parliament where it’s a Committee. You have opposition and all, when the NPP is in power; NDC is in power, it’s a Committee.”

“He is just bringing harmony first, then he will go to that step [that all this]. Because Ghana is going to develop, there will be so many monuments…We need to have certainly a group of people thinking through this thing.”

“In government, Parliament has duties. We pay them; they are members of Parliament. If it wasn’t Kufour who named the place and it was a committee, I mean it will be very difficult for you to go back and change it… It would be very difficult for somebody to go and say I’m changing it. Then you have to write to the Committee, propose to them the reason why you want to change it. So, it’s something like the President is thinking deep,” the source said, adding that; “We need to reform our constitution and make sure that there will be a monument body in Parliament.”

Meanwhile, conflicting reports also reaching in reveal that President John Mahama has not endorsed the change of name.

Information Minister, Mahama Ayariga on Wednesday told Kwami Sefa-Kayi on Peace FMs “Kokrokoo” programme, that the Flagstaff House has been changed to Jubilee Flagstaff House.

The merger he said is intended to bury the matter of whether the old name for the edifice is appropriate or the subsequent name given to it under the Mills-Mahama administration in the ground.

He believed the new name will satisfy the two sides; particularly the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

But sources close to Peacefmonline.com explained that the President can only decide to change the name of the Presidential palace after he has called a cabinet meeting to discuss the merits and demerits of the issue before such an information is divulged.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Prez Mahama’s Reign Is “Impotent” And “Unreasonable”

A member of the opposition New Patriotic Party’s Communication team, Hopeson Adorye has expressed disappointment in the governing National Democratic Congress, describing President Mahama’s reign as an “impotent” and “unreasonable” government.

Commenting on the recent developments in the Mahama-led NDC government, Hopeson Adorye was astounded that the government would rename the Presidential palace from Flagstaff House to Jubilee Flagstaff House.

To him, the NDC party is behaving “like someone who is impotent who cannot impregnate his wife”, explaining that they could not dream of an appropriate place for the Presidency and instead of awarding credit to the erstwhile Kufour government for establishing the Golden Jubilee House, they have sought to arrogate the edifice.

He therefore questioned the rationale behind the new name, exclaiming that “No reasonable government will do that…They are not reasonable. NDC is not a reasonable party and their government is not a reasonable government. If they are reasonable, all what they are doing; they will not do it.”

The seat of government established under the Kufour administration was initially called Golden Jubilee House to mark the 50th Anniversary of Ghana’s Independence but was named Flagstaff House under the Mills-Mahama government,symbolic of the colonial era.

A third name for the edifice was disclosed by the Information Minister, Mahama Ayariga, to integrate the two names in order to bury the hatchet on whether the palace should be reversed into the original name or remain Flagstaff House.

The Minister revealed on Wednesday that the new name is Jubilee Flagstaff House.

This declaration has since been met with uncongenial outbursts from some critics who believe the new name smacks of propaganda and innuendos.

The NPP Communicator speaking in an interview with Peacefmonline.com also stressed that the new name is “bogus and capricious” but praised the Kufour government for naming the edifice after the nation’s 50 years of Independence, hence the old name is of historic relevance.

“Jubilee Flagstaff House, what is the meaning of that? Jubilee Flagstaff House! I don’t get it…We cannot accept that. So, they should come out clearly; let us know what is the meaning of Flagstaff House. Either than that, I am of the view that they should restore the original name.”

“Instead of maybe saying that [oh] Ghanaians, whatever we did. Whatever name that we changed, we are humbly appealing to you to forgive us. So, we are restoring the original name and then call it Jubilee House; you say Jubilee Flagstaff House. It’s a disgrace to the government. It’s a disgrace to Mahama…And then, disgrace to the entire NDC party.” he called on government to eat the humble pie and apologize to Ghanaians.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Former Deputy Finance Minister Slams Mahama Ayariga; He Is Incompetent

A former Deputy Finance Minister under the Kufour administration, Kweku Agyemang Manu has slammed the Information Minister, Mahama Ayariga, for “goofing” the second time following his appointment by President John Dramani Mahama, insisting that he is incompetent to head the Ministry.

Hon. Kweku Agyemang Manu, incumbent Member of Parliament for Dormaa Central, understated the usefulness of Mr. Ayariga at the Information Ministry because to him, the Minister has proven to be incapable of administering the Ministry.

Speaking in an interview with Peacefmonline.com, he believed the Minister should be fired since he “has no business” at the Ministry of Information. He outlined his expectations of the Minister’s performance saying “he is not going to be a very efficient; a very effective Information Minister.”

The NPP stalwart was reacting to the renaming of the Presidential palace from the Flagstaff House to the Jubilee Flagstaff House by the ruling NDC government.

To him, there are more pressing concerns to be addressed by the government than the mere issue of renaming the Presidential edifice. He expressed no surprise over the new name, explaining that he has tolerated the governing party’s lapses to the brim and so, “whatever they want to do, let them do. If it’s good for them, let them take it.”

He further said the Mahama-led NDC government has not introduced any new initiative from inception. He cited some failures of the government, emphasizing that they have collapsed the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and have not done any new adjustments in the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).

He therefore expressed regret over the government’s decision to change the name of the multi-million dollar palace.

The Minister of Information on Wednesday revealed in an interview with Kwami Sefa-Kayi on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo”, that the Flagstaff House has been changed to Jubilee Flagstaff House.

He explained that the amalgamation is intended to end the controversy surrounding the seat of government.

He also noted that “the two names have been put together and I think it is time we make progress and we focus on what is happening in Jubilee Flagstaff House and not the name."

However, Hon. Agyemang Manu, in his view, stated firmly that “Mahama Ayariga has nothing to do in that Ministry of Information…the Information Minister shouldn’t behave like the rest of us in this country are fools? What does he take us for?...They (NDC) claim Ghanaians have given them the mandate to rule us. The things that they will do with this power, I don’t have anything to say about it; so, let them go ahead and do what they want to do but they shouldn’t be telling us these things as if we are children…”

“The type of reason he’s given us for the renaming of Flagstaff House…suggests he is incompetent and he shouldn’t be in that Ministry at all. So, he is talking like human being, adults like us; sensible reasonable human being and should respect our thinking, our intelligence, our brains. Don’t come and tell us propaganda again,” he concluded.
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Ernest Owusu -Bempah: Prez Mahama Has A “Flip-Flopping Mentality”

Communications Director of the National Democratic Party(NDP) and an aide to Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings; Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah has fired salvos at President John Dramani Mahama describing him as a President who will go down the memory lane as having a “flip-flopping mentality” and lacking vision for the nation.

Owusu-Bempah who was extremely disgusted about President Mahama’s decisions which he stated emphatically are “solidly against President Mills’ and purported to just spite President Mills in the face”, said the recent utterances and decisions by President Mahama have unearthed his real intent, hence proving that he may have schemed a plot against late President John Evans Atta Mills in order to ascend to the Presidential throne.

Speaking on Oman FM in Accra on Thursday, he noted that since the inception of the incumbent government, all decisions that the President has taken have sought to defy the position of the former late President Mills who according to him, President Mahama described as his “political mentor.”

To him, the President may have been working under the cover of darkness to ensure that he gains the Presidential mantle.

“All the things that President Mills came to do, he is doing contrary. That means when the President was on the throne, were you secretly plotting against him? Because decisions he has taken; the Ministers he has chosen, even to the extent that he could say that God in his own wisdom has taken the old man away and has brought in a useful John Dramani Mahama to steer affairs of this country. It means you hold a flip-flopping mentality or decision,” he disclosed.

He also bemoaned President Mahama’s sense of reasoning and therefore launched an attack on Member of Parliament (MP)for Nantong, Murtala Mohammed and the Managing Editor of the Al-hajj newspaper for making disparaging remarks in the previous government but the President could not call them to order; an indication that the President is “discriminatory”.

This he stated dents his call for regional and ethnic integration.

Reacting to the first reshuffle of President Mahama’s regional Ministers, the NDP firebrand added his voice to numerous criticisms that the President is indecisive but called on him not to waver in decision-making.

He insisted that the President has lost credibility in the public domain and so, admonished him to take a cue from his predecessors.

Explaining further, he cited names such as Ex-Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and J.A Kufour, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela among other leaders who he said were gallant leaders.

He expounded that these leaders were “always prepared to take the necessary risk. They are bold and they don’t care the consequences when they take decisions”, therefore prayed President Mahama to follow their steps in order to resolve the nation’s deadlock.

He further chided him for reshuffling Ministers in a short span, asserting that he has “disgraced” the vetting process by the Appointments Committee in Parliament “because of his undecisive nature.”

To him, President Mahama lacks experience in governance, “the President is not decisive. The President lacks vision. The President has lost the plot as a nation leader…The President has reduced the Presidency to the lowest level.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Kweku Baako: Change Of Name Of Presidential Palace Is 'Needless Propaganda'

Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako Jnr., has downplayed the government’s change of name of the Presidential Palace from the Flagstaff House to the Jubilee Flagstaff House.

Kweku Baako, contributing in a panel discussion programme “Kokrokoo” on Peace FM Wednesday morning, stressed that the new name by the Mahama-led NDC government smacked of propaganda.

He explained that the initial change of name of the Presidential edifice from the Golden Jubilee House to the Flagstaff House by the Mills-Mahama government was done under the cover of darkness and so, “it just didn’t make sense in terms of good governance or authoritative governance.”

The Information Minister, Mahama Ayariga, admitted in an interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Wednesday, that the governing National Democratic Congress under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama has changed the name of the seat of government from the Flagstaff House to the Jubilee Flagstaff House.

The multi-million dollar palace which was constructed to mark the 50th anniversary of Ghana's Independence, had its name reverted to the Flagstaff House by the Mills-Mahama NDC.

The edifice which served as the residence and office of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, courted controversy when Ex-President John Agyekum Kufour commenced renovation works on the site to serve as the seat of government.

The erstwhile Kufour government went ahead to build the Presidential palace to house his successors but was somewhat neglected in 2009 by the late President John Evans Atta Mills on grounds that the establishment of the edifice was incomplete and also poses security threats to the Presidency.

President John Dramani Mahama, upon assumption of office, however, relocated from the Osu Castle to the Flagstaff House on February 7, 2013 as a matter of principle to commence his official duties.

There has since been controversy over the choice of name for the edifice as some critics wonder about whether the palace should be called Golden Jubilee or remain Flagstaff House.

When he heard of the new name “Flagstaff Jubilee House”, Son of Ghana’s first President, Sekou Nkrumah said he was totally thrown into a state of uttermost shock.

Speaking to Asempa FM yesterday, Sekou Nkrumah stated in a derisive manner that the sudden change may have resulted as “part of the reshuffle" by President Mahama.

"What!!! since when? is it Flagstaff House or Jubilee House?" he blurted out, asserting that if it turns out to be true, then “there is serious confusion going on" in the incumbent government.

Kweku Baako on the flip side also said the President’s relocation to the Flagstaff House proved that “there’s an element of reversal in the previous position” of the NDC government.

According to him, the Kufour government did nothing wrong in establishing the Presidential palace.

He further expounded that the Flagstaff House was a colonial relic, hence the need for a new seat of government; which Ex-President Kufour envisioned to do under his reign.

He therefore denied reports that the palace sometimes used to be waterlogged due to the poor construction of the edifice; part of the reasons why the late President Mills refused to move in.

Describing as “unprofessional”, analysis by some NDC pundits that the site was unsafe for the Presidency, he noted that the construction of the edifice was timely and so, the NDC government should have deployed an appropriate Presidential security core to protect the President when they felt the place could endanger his life.

“Golden Jubilee is representative of the 50th Anniversary of our independence. It is politically neutral…Golden was representative of the number of years that we had become independent. And as I said, was politically neutral and Flagstaff House in reality was unrepresentative of Nkrumah or Ghana. For whatever reasons, he chose to maintain it, but it is not everything that Nkrumah maintained or retained, that 50 something years later; Ghanaians will want to maintain or retain,” he said, adding that it is just a “needless propaganda-driven” tool by politicians to bring the issue at the centre of controversy.
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

CPP Charges Govt: Stop The Ceremonies And Get To Work

The CPPs Communications Director, Nii Armah Akomfrah has called on President John Dramani Mahama and his cabinet Ministers to stop flaunting themselves when there is more work to do about the state of the economy.

“Enough of the ceremonies. We want a country that works. We want the Ministers to get to work and do some work. When the country is falling apart, then you are busy involved in ceremonies…less ceremonies, more action; that’s what we want. That’s what the country needs,” General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nii Armah Akomfrah, warns the Mahama-led NDC government.

He strongly admonished government officials to be glued to their offices, diligently working to finding lasting solutions to the lingering crises confronting the economy.

He noted that while Ghanaians crave for a government to remedy their plight, the ruling NDC functionaries are busy embarking on “Thank you” tours and holding other ceremonies which he said send “a signal of confusion and uncertainty from the House of the President.”

He spoke to Peacefmonline.com Wednesday morning in reaction to recent developments in the governing National Democratic Congress.

Government on Wednesday announced a change of name of the Presidential palace from Flagstaff House to Jubilee Flagstaff House.

Minister of Information and Media relations, Mahama Ayariga divulged this in an interview with Kwami Sefa-Kayi, claiming that the previous government had not used the legislative Instrument to effect the change as required by law.

However, the NDC government believes the new name will lessen the controversy encompassing the Presidential palace.

The Information Minister explained that the Mahama-led government has fused the two names, Golden Jubilee House and Flagstaff House; in hope of making progress in the country.

Nonetheless, Mr. Armah Akomfrah expressed that he frankly does not “think many Ghanaians are concerned too much. Whether we call it Flagstaff House or whether we call it Jubilee House, we want our systems to work so that the country progresses. Everything is not working. There’s something not quite right…Where is Ghana’s money?”

The new development also comes on the heels of the President’s recent reshuffle of his regional Ministers which saw the Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong, move to the Central Region as the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Eric Opoku takes his place in the Ashanti Region.

Central Regional Minister, Ebenezer Kwadwo Teye Addo has also been sent to the Western Region while Julius Debrah, Eastern Regional Minister goes to the Greater Accra Region.

Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, Upper East Regional Minister, Dr. Ephraim Avea Nsoh, Upper West Regional Minister, Bede Anwataazumo Ziedeng and Helen Ntoso, Volta Regional Minister are going to the Volta, Upper West, Northern and Eastern Regions respectively.

The rest are Western Regional Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo and Minister of State at the Presidency, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru who are moving to the Brong Ahafo Region and Upper East Region.

In spite of the initiatives by President John Mahama, the CPP General Secretary downplayed the President’s intent saying; “We want systems that work. We want Ghana’s money to be accounted to the people of this country. We want the country to run properly so that we will not be in the situation that we are in now, with no electricity, no gas and poor services in every sector of the economy.”

He therefore called for accountability and transparency in the incumbent government, advising that the government takes pragmatic steps to resolve the nation’s deadlock.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Kennedy Agaypong Curses Afari Gyan

Outspoken Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has invoked a curse on the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Afari Gyan, blaming him for the woes of the nation.

Kennedy Agyapong, speaking on Oman FM in Accra on Tuesday, in an unrestrained outburst cursed the EC Chairman since according to him, the negligence of Dr. Afari Gyan saw the Mahama-led NDC government at the helm of affairs in the country.

He explained that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) members have committed a despicable offence against the Ghanaian citizenry, all to the credit of the EC Chairman who he prayed long life for but blurted out that he will live to face his punishment.

To him, but for Dr. Afari Gyan; the 2012 Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would have made several interventions to salvage the economy from its current state.

He said had Nana Addo won the 2012 Presidential elections, he would have revived the National Health Insurance Scheme to the benefit of all Ghanaians.

“If he (Dr. Afari Gyan) had not done the things that he did, Nana Addo would have changed it (Health Insurance) quick to better the lives of the poor in society.” he noted.

He prayed that Dr. Afari Gyan attains 100 years of age but insisted that “his hair will rot together with his nails to the glory of the Lord.”

He further added that “That man will be 100 years. But he will witness the punishment that will befall him.”

He also accused the government officials of misappropriating funds when Ghanaians are saddled with challenges.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Sekou Nkrumah Chides Electricity Providers

Sekou Nkrumah, Son of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has chided utility providers for their poor service delivery to consumers in the country.

Talking to Peacefmonline.com, Ghana’s first President’s son wondered why his area of residence has been plunged into total darkness for three days without the utility companies making any attempt to restore the lights.

To him, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), GRIDCO and the Volta River Authority have sapped the confidence of Ghanaians, hence calling on them to streamline their activities before making demands for tariff increments.

He therefore expressed regret over VRA and the other electricty providers for failing to resolve the power fluctuations in the country.

VRA appealed to government for an upward adjustment in electricity tariffs in order to assist the company in the purchase of crude oil in large quantities for power generation. Public Relations Director of the company, Sam Fletcher noted that some Ghanaians have failed to pay correct tariffs on electricity and so, the company’s finances have dipped.

This he said is a major contributor to the erratic supply of electricity to communities, as a result calling for increment in tariffs to boost the company in the generation of power for the utility providers and consumers.

Speaking in relation to the tariff adjustments, Sekou Nkrumah called on the authorities to provide better services to the consumers if they want Ghanaians to heed their demands.

“How can they justify increasing it when they are not even providing the service...Does it make sense? What are they increasing? What are they going to increase when the service is not provided?” he asked.

He emphasized that; “the consumers have lost confidence in the ECG and whoever is connected to providing electricity for consumers in general. I’m saying they need to up their game before people then can listen to them. Before then, I don’t think they can justify any increase in the tariffs. They will have to provide a good service; people will have confidence in the service and then they can then increase the tariffs.”

This he stated is the sure way for the utility companies to get the Ghanaian populace to pay the tariffs whether increased or maintained.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Nana Akomea Slams Minsterial Reshuffle: Mahama Is Being Indecisive

The Communications Director of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Nana Akomea has slammed government over the recent reshuffle of Ministers in President Mahama’s administration.

Nana Akomea who could not fathom the logic behind the reshuffle by the President, described as “indecisive” the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.

He believed the President’s action has unearthed the inconsistencies in his administration.

Speaking to Peacefmonline.com on Tuesday, he challenged President Mahama to articulate his vision well since according to him, his appointment of the Ministers reshuffled was short-lived.

President John Dramani Mahama, in line with his vision to transform the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) into incubators and realizers of local level development, announced in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Raymond Atuguba, the first reshuffle of his government.

The reshuffle saw the Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong, move to the Central Region as the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Eric Opoku takes his place in the Ashanti Region.

Central Regional Minister, Ebenezer Kwadwo Teye Addo has also been sent to the Western Region while Julius Debrah, Eastern Regional Minister goes to the Greater Accra Region.

Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, Upper East Regional Minister, Dr. Ephraim Avea Nsoh, Upper West Regional Minister, Bede Anwataazumo Ziedeng and Helen Ntoso, Volta Regional Minister are going to the Volta, Upper West, Northern and Eastern Regions respectively.

The rest are Western Regional Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo and Minister of State at the Presidency, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru who are moving to the Brong Ahafo Region and Upper East Region.

Though not a new development in the political fabric of the nation, Nana Akomea expressed that an ample time should have been allotted to the Ministers to be assessed before the reshuffle but he found it sudden for the President to change Ministers within a fortnight.

He questioned the logic in the President’s reshuffle, disclosing that; “even yesterday, some of them (Ministers) were doing handover…So, these people have been in office for less than two weeks. Their appointments have come less than two weeks and you are reshuffling them.”

He therefore asked: “What has changed since you (President Mahama) made the appointment. They went through Parliament and they’ve been sworn in by the President, himself? What has changed? If you wanted to even change them after Parliament, why do you swear them in? And then now that they just have taken their position, you reshuffle them. What has changed?”

Without mincing words, Nana Akomea stressed that the reshuffle “shows indecisiveness…It doesn’t show consistency. And unfortunately, it doesn’t show that the President had a straight forward vision right from the start.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

CPP Communications Director Blames Finance Minister For TOR Debt

The Communication Director of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nii Armah Akomfrah has blamed the Finance Minister, Seth Tekper for the debt incurred by the Volta River Authority (VRA).

According to him, the Finance Minister should render an account to the citizenry regarding the state of VRA as the company piles up huge costs. This he noted is having adverse effects on the company.

The Volta River Authority has made demands for some adjustments in tariffs on electricity to enhance the company’s financial purse. The company indicated that to ensure sustainability of its operations, “it is imperative for the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to stick to regular tariff adjustments to reflect cost of generation.”

VRA’s demands come in the wake of the current energy situation which has become the bane of the economy.

The Public Relations Director of the company, Sam Fletcher attributed the current situation of the company to inability of Ghanaians to pay the correct electricity tariffs, which has led to both VRA and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) not efficiently meeting the demands of the citizenry in the generation and supply of power to consumers.

Mr. Fletcher further revealed that the VRA lost one billion cedis last year as a result of high operational cost, resulting from the use of crude oil rather than gas for its production, and so, appealed for an upward adjustment in electricity tariffs to generate revenues for the company.

However, the CPP Communication Director in an interview with Peacefmonline.com expressed disgust over VRA’s demands, putting the blame at the doorsteps of the sector Minister who he described as “incompetent” and so, called for his response in resolving the challenges that the company is grappling with.

“At the moment, we understand that the VRA owed over a billion (GHC 1 bn), the government itself owed the VRA; 509 million. The Municipal and District Assemblies owed over 200 million. The ECG owed them over 200 million; VALCO owed them 77 million and various other organizations owed them,” he disclosed.

“We are blaming the sector Minister for allowing a situation where VRA is owed a huge debt like this and they have not sought to do anything about it. Is the sector Minister not having regular meetings with such important institution in the sector? Is he not having regular meeting? So, when did he know they are saddled with such a debt? And what’s his plan for making sure that the debt is paid to them, rather than seeking to increase tariffs for the Ghanaian population that is already in difficulty in the country.”

To him, the sector Minister has not taken an oversight responsibility over the activities of the workers, therefore asking “what the Sector Minister is doing about this huge level of debt…So, the Minister has failed to deal with the issue of the debt of VRA. VRA is struggling to fix their equipment. They are struggling to buy oil to do what they need to do to generate more power and they are coming back to tell us they want tariffs increased. I think Ghanaians will absolutely not accept, when you are owed a debt and you are not able to collect it. The sector Minister is not doing anything about it. We plunged into darkness and they want the tariffs increased. I think it’s not acceptable; we should not have to pay for the inefficiency of VRA. We should not have to pay for the incompetence and mismanagement of the sector Minister in failing to resolve the debt.”

He also bemoaned the power generation company for making such demands when the country is saddled with erratic electricity and water supply amidst fuel price hikes.

“Of course, we are also blaming VRA itself for also not pursuing the debt sufficiently and also for their own inefficiency. They need transparency before they can come to Ghanaians and tell us; they want us to pay more. They need to tell us what they do with the money we currently pay to them.”

According to him, the inefficiency and mismanagement of the company is a major contributor to the indebtedness of VRA, stating emphatically that “It is not acceptable. The CPP does not accept that we should pay for the inefficiency of government and inefficiency of VRA.”

He therefore called on the Finance Minister to adopt pragmatic measures to remedy the situation.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Young Patriots Threaten To Drag VRA To Court

The Young Patriots of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have threatened to drag the Volta River Authority to court should government heed their call to increase tariffs on electricity in order to help the company adequately purchase crude oil to resolve the erratic power supply to the country.

Speaking on behalf of the Young Patriots, Hopeson Adorye, a member of the NPP’s Communication team expressed disappointment in the services provided by the utility companies and so, warned them against any tariff increase.

He explained that the Public Utility and Regulatory Commission (PURC) signed a performance contract with the utility providers; ECG, VRA and GRIDCO to improve upon their work in the supply of electricity to consumers in the country but expressed dissatisfaction with the services rendered by the utility companies.

The group last Thursday, March 7 expressed their sentiments in a statement calling on “ECG, VRA and PURC to with immediate effect ensure all government agencies, ministries and MDA’s have prepaid meters installed before any negotiations on tariffs begins. Failure to do so, we will seriously consider bringing a class action suit against the PURC and ECG among others on behalf of all Ghanaians.”

They group further disclosed the indebtedness of the utility companies and appealed to them to find solutions to remit their costs.

“It has been confirmed by ECG, VRA and TOR that the government owes them $500m and $400m and $300m respectively.

“The people of the Republic of Ghana cannot continue to subsidize the incompetence, inefficiencies, and the lack of moral uprightness of our government. Bloated government Ministries, District assemblies and state agencies providing jobs for the boys who fleece the State of our scarce resources is very insensitive to the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian,” Portions of the statement read.

Reacting to the demands made by the Volta River Authority to increase electricity tariffs by 20%, Hopeson Adorye also revealed in an interview with Peacefmonline.com that the Young Patriots will take the matter to the law court.

“In fact, we are searching for the performance contract. Once we get it, we will place an injunction on them and aside that, we are planning a very massive demonstration ….we therefore hope our brothers in the NDC will join us. We will demonstrate. Apart from the demonstration, we will use all legal means like proceeding to court and make sure we put them on their toes to do what is right for the people of Ghana.

“Why should Ghanaians suffer from someone’s incompetence and ineffectiveness? As we are aware, government is owing ECG; 500 million dollars. It’s owing VRA 400 million dollars and then TOR, 300 million dollars. All together is 1.2 billion dollars and this one can add about 400 to 500 megawatts to our national grid. So, why should we, the ordinary Ghanaians as poor as we are, continue to suffer these consequences?” he exclaimed.

According to him, VRA’s intent is to “rob” Ghanaians but not to rectify the inconsistencies in its financial purse aimed at purchasing large quantities of crude oil to ward off the unremitting power fluctuations.

He accused the Mahama-led government of squandering the monies it owes the Volta River Authority on campaign platforms, therefore charging the electricity generation company to recoup its losses from the government.

The Young Patriots’ “Dum so Hardship” demonstration will be held in the Northern Region on April 9 this year in hope that the electricity tariffs do not hike up.

 

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Prez Mahama Needs To Adopt An Action Plan To Salvage Economy

The General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Bernard Mornah has called on President John Dramani Mahama to adopt an action plan to salvage the economy from the challenges it is grappling with.

Bernard Mornah making a submission on Radio Gold’s political programme “Alhaji Alhaji” on Saturday, expressed disappointment in government for not pioneering any initiative to ensure a robust economy.

Though admitting that the country since independence has been politically stable, “It’s clear that our country is not a country of yester years, that today people are speaking with all manner of anger. People are talking with all manner of offensive abusive words…That cannot mean that we are progressing. It means that some things are not right and that the President ought to make them clear.”

Explaining further, he noted that though Ghana has attained independence, the country has degenerated from the economic status achieved by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, first President of the nation, who saw the establishment of the Akosombo Dam to generate electricity for communities, and also initiated a number of projects to enhance the education system in Ghana.

“We are largely dependent on Akosombo dam that was constructed when we had less than 7 million people. How come? Have we advanced the course of our nation towards that economic independence or have we degenerated in our quest?

“In our educational pursuit, have we advanced from the days when we had less than 1,700 schools in this country and to what extent? If you read the budget statement, secondary education is around 36%, not even 38%...So, what happened to the chunk of our people who want to attain secondary education and cannot get?” he questioned.

Speaking in relation to the President’s speech at the 56th Independence Day, Bernard Mornah outlined his expectations saying President Mahama only echoed remarks by his predecessors regarding the state of the economy but did not specify any measure to curb the crises facing the country.

To him, President Mahama should have stipulated pragmatic steps his government will do in his four-year term to end the plight of Ghanaians.

He therefore sought answers from the President, thus asking; “Is the President going to be bold to say that the rot in the mining sector cannot be allowed? That the rot in the oil sector where we have about 12% with 88% in the hands of the people who are somewhere playing golf will not be allowed. Are we going to ensure that those who are in various offices that have supervised the collapse of industries, and some of them collapse them and turn around and form groups to buy them; are we going to ensure that those people give way for people who are progressive to take over? So that we will be able to march forward…”

He also expressed worry over Ghana’s importation of commodities at the expense of the local ones, which he noted have collapsed some domestic businesses. Though he would not shift the blame entirely on the incumbent government, he however hoped President Mahama’s commitment will not just be a lip service but he will work assiduously to boost the progress of the nation.

“This nation will not survive when our agriculture is not doing well. When you continue to import rice and sometimes plantain, and charcoal and import toothpick”, thereby proposing that the government restores the country’s assets.

“This nation will not advance if we continue to do the things that we started doing from 1956. We will not prosper if every asset of this nation is put on divestiture. And I have been calling that the divestiture implementation committee must be scrapped.” he said, calling for a radical change in the state of the economy.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Actor Majid Michel's Sister Shares Her Cancer Treatment Experience

A cancer treatment centre in Ghana has made another tremendous stride in averting the spread of breast cancer and other cancer-related issues.

The Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre (SGMC), located at Adjiringano, East Legon Hills in Accra has in the last two years treated cancer cases with the survivors testifying about the centre after undergoing a successful surgery.

The centre has again raised Ghana’s image high with another breast cancer victim pulling through.

A breast cancer survivor, Juliette Mills-Lutterodt, who was treated in the United States, shared with Peace FM her experience and that of her mother, who was treated at the SGMC.

She told Kwami Sefa Kayi a harrowing tale of what she went through and the huge sums of money she paid to undergo a successful treatment of her cancerous breast.

The extremely good-looking fair-skinned Mills-Lutterodt revealed that she experienced a severe loss of hair which resulted in her shaving off all her hair in order to avoid a spread of the cancer.

She also recounted that she experienced increasing joint pains and her nails darkened as a result of the cancer before undergoing chemotherapy treatment for a year and half for her restoration process.

According to her, unlike the Ghana-based cancer centre, she dolled out 1900 dollars to first check the nature of her cancer, and later incurred other costs to the tune of 200,000 dollars to go through her chemotherapy.

But upon realizing her mother had developed a breast cancer, she decided to look out for a cancer treatment centre in Ghana which could offer professional services at affordable cost.

Juliette Mills-Lutterodt, who happens to be renowned actor, Majid Michel’s senior sister was full of praise for the professionalism exhibited by the medical staff at the SGMC, which led to her mother surviving her surgery.

“Honestly, it is very important that we give credit to hospitals and medical centres in this country…for their professional services and aside that, the cost of treatment in America is not comparative at all…it is very expensive seeking treatment in the US…But the service and care that I saw at the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre, believe me I was very impressed when i visited the place. I went to all the rooms there and it’s not different at all from where i received treatment…It’s the best one we have in Africa,” she gushed her praise.

        


She appealed to the general public to seek early treatment for any form of cancer they might be afflicted with saying, “it’s very important that when a doctor reveals your cancer, act on it right away.”

Over the years, several cancer victims have sought treatment abroad incurring huge costs but sometimes the cancerous problems worsen leading to the death of the victims.

It is estimated that about 1,300 new cases of different forms of cancer are reported in Ghana every month with many of the victims dying in due course, mainly because they either cannot afford the high cost of treatment or report the cases late for treatment or lack knowledge of the disease.

According to a recent survey conducted in Ghana, involving over 47,000 women nationwide, 54.84% of breast cancer patients in Ghana are pre-menopausal, whilst 45.16% are of postmenopausal status.

Current statistics from the World Health Organization indicates that 40% of all cancers are breast and cervical-related, with developing countries such as Ghana progressively approaching this high incidence level.

Approximately, the prevalence rate for breast lumps and cancers ranges from 1.11% to 6.89%; a reason why the Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre (SGMC) has over the years offered radiotherapy (the use of radiation to cure cancer) and chemotherapy services to cancer patients in the nation, with the aim of making cancer treatments affordable for Ghanaians.

The SGMC, africa’s best private cancer treatment centre, is well-known for its use of modern equipment and experts to treat persons with any type of cancer. It provides reasonably priced services to Ghanaians affected by cancer.

Early detection of cancer is a sure way to prevent the spread of the disease in a human body, a reason why accredited SGMC is set up to ensure that cancerous cases in Ghana are dealt with speedily and successfully.

Cancer patients within and outside the West African sub-region have since the establishment of the centre received treatment.

The SGMC has also set up a foundation called the Sweden Ghana Cancer Foundation with the objective of providing financial support to Ghanaian cancer patients who cannot afford cost of treatment and aims at educating the public on early detection of cancer to ward off its rippling effects with the centre’s recent treatment being Mrs. Juliette’s mother.
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

GLO Offices Closed

Offices of Telecommunications giant Globacom (GLO) at Atiwa district in the Eastern Region have been closed following a court ruling.

The District Magistrate court on Thursday gave an order for the offices to be locked after the telecommunications network refused to comply with regulations for the establishment of the network in the district.

Confirming the report on Peace  FM news, the District Finance Officer, Murtala Alhassan explained that before any telecommunications operator could set up its facility, they had to seek permit from the authorities.

GLO was granted the permit but according to him, it has piled up huge debt since the last three years which has resulted in the closure of the offices.

“We saw it and negotiated with them. We gave them the bill; every tower is 6000. They built six towers, that is about 36,000. We have done everything within our power but they did not remit their cost. So, in 2010, they had to pay 36,000 but they did not pay. So, 2011, we charged them for a penalty of 12,000 and gave them the bill, 48000; they did not pay. 2012, we added 18,000 penalty to it but they did not pay…we’ve done everything possible but they did not pay up,” he said.

The mobile network is said to have refused to remit their costs which have been in installment to a tune of about GHC 66000.

Murtala Alhassan expressed worry over the relunctance by GLO authorities to pay up the debt. 

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana