Ghana TV News, 23.08.2010 | | | | Ex-Minister’s Lover Still On The Run *Source: The Herald | Joe Boateng, an emissary asked by the Member of Parliament for Techiman North and ex-Minster for Ports and Habours to bail his mistress for him, is in hot soups as the sneaky sexy lady, Ms. Selasi Gertrude Bedzo, has for the sixth time, snubbed the Accra Circuit Court trying her for fraud.
Mr. Boateng has till coming Thursday, to drag Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi’s 30-year-old lover, down from her base in Canada, where she is believed to be hiding, for the trial to continue, or cough up the whooping GH¢100, 000 bail bond.
Mr. Boateng, who owns “Urban Touch”, a popular restaurant in Dzorwulu, Accra, told the court that he does not know the whereabouts of the accused person and that the police should be held responsible for her absence since he made sure that her two passports were deposited to the police.
The 65-year-old NPP MP’s mistress is standing trial for posing as an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) of America and defrauding Kojo Amoakohene, a Holland-based Ghanaian, the sum of US$86,500 under the pretext of getting him vehicles confiscated by the bureau.
Mr. Boateng pleaded with the court to pardon him and the bond extended since he is making frantic efforts to bring Ms. Bedzo before the court. But the court presided over by Mr. C. A. Wilson, directed him to file his plea in a motion, which he did, using the same lawyer defending Ms. Bedzo, Mr. Kweku * Paintsil**. *
Justice Wilson has, however, fixed August 26, to give his ruling on the motion as to whether the police or Mr. Boateng should be held liable over the lady’s refusal to show up in court.
The minister’s lover was to make appearance before the Accra Circuit Court on August 12, 2010 after a bench warrant was issued for her arrest, but she did not show up as expected, forcing the court to adjourn the case to last Wednesday, August 18, 2010, and again, she was missing when the case was called.
Ms. Bedzo after publications by The Herald, called the paper’s office many times on phone claiming that she was in Canada, and denied running from the court as she has nothing to hide. But she has failed to honour her promises be present in court.
Meanwhile, her lawyer, Mr. Kweku *Paintsil,* has told the court that Ms. Bedzo whose photograph was published in the August 4, 2010 edition of the Daily Graphic that she is wanted by the police for fraud, would be appearing on Thursday.
Ms. Bedzo uses about three names. She is sometimes called Selasi Bed-Ampofo, and at other times, she is referred to as Chantel Timeleon and Sela Bed Plange.
She falsely introduced herself to her victim, one Kojo Amoakohene, as an FBI agent, and collected US$86,500, with a promise to use her influence as an FBI agent to procure confiscated cars for him. She then went into hiding, and later sneaked out of Ghana.
According to the prosecutor, ASP Blagodzi, the victim met the suspect at the Oops Night Club – Accra-in 2008, with two female foreigners, whom she claimed were also FBI agents assigned to Ghana to intercept smuggled cars in the country, and also track down narcotic drugs on their way to the US.
The ex-Minister’s girlfriend told her victim that the FBI usually sells the confiscated cars to its staff at reduced prices and that she was going to use her connections to buy some for him.
ASP Blagodzi told the court that Mr. Amoakohene became convinced when, during one of their meetings, he observed some ammunition, including a pistol, on the suspect which she claimed were being used as protection on their assignment. He consequently parted with US $34,500 for a Range Rover car, which the suspect claimed was available for sale.
Mr. Amoakohene, according to the prosecutor, further instructed his brother-in-law, Mr. Ransford Neewhang, a Canada-based Ghanaian and Dietician, to part with US$25,000 and an additional US$27,000 for an X5 BMW and Audi Q7 respectively, when the suspect met with Mr. Neewhang in Canada.
ASP Blagodzi said after receiving the money totaling US$86,500, Ms. Bedzo started playing hide-and-seek, but later left the country with all attempts to get her proving futile. Luck, however, eluded her on February 20, this year, when she was spotted by her victim in a blue Lexus G8 saloon car with registration number GR 505 Z with a Member of Parliament’s sticker on it at East Legon -Accra.
The assistance of two uniformed policemen passing by was quickly sought and she was apprehended and later handed over to the Teshie police. Preliminary investigation conducted by the police revealed that the car she was driving, indeed, belonged to Prof Ameyaw-Akumfi.
The suspect, under interrogation, disclosed that she was the minister’s lover; that he gave her his car for her rounds, and that she has a baby girl with the ex-Minister. She placed many phone calls to the ex-minister many times while in custody. But The Herald’s investigation showed that the baby girl she referred to does not belong to the ex-minister.
Interestingly, whilst the police were making arrangements to put her before court, one Joe Boateng stormed the station and said he has the strict orders of the ex-minister to stand surety for Ms. Bedzo. She was made to deposit her two passports, a Ghanaian one and Canadian one, to prevent her from fleeing the country.
An agreement was later reached to have the US$86,500, refunded within a month. The time set for the refund elapsed and Mr. Boateng could not produce her in court, and all efforts to locate her have also proved futile, forcing the court to issue the bench warrant on June 9, for her arrest. | State loses GH¢5,800,000 due to irregularities in Assemblies- Report *Source: GNA | Tamale, Aug. 23, GNA - Audited accounts of some district assemblies between 2001 and 2004, has revealed that the state lost over GH¢5,800,000 due to disregard to laid down procedures in the disbursement of funds.
The Auditor-Generals report, which revealed this, identified that some of the assemblies failed to follow proper procedures in the award of contracts, misused, misappropriated and embezzled revenues, as well as failed to recover loans and track expenditure.
Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, announced this at a public hearing of the Committees' sittings of some district assemblies from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions in Tamale on Sunday. He said for instance out of the 139 district assemblies in the country, 59 of them had been given audit queries, which they had so far failed to respond to and warned that in future such assemblies would not receive any further allocation of public funds.
Mr Dapaah reminded the assemblies that funds allocated to them from central government were from donor countries or loans and grants, which had to be paid, adding that it was therefore necessary to render account of how such monies were spent. He expressed concern about the expenditure of the assemblies and noted that a lot of their funds went into administration instead of development projects.
Mr Dapaah said although the assemblies had the tendency of complaining of lack of funds, it had also been observed that monies were often returned to the banks and questioned why this was happing. The Chairman, who is also the Member of Parliament for Afigya-Sekyere, described the public sittings ongoing in the regions, as historic and said this was to ensure that people got to know how funds meant for the development of their areas were used. | Low response to marriage registration in Ejura-Sekyedumase * Source: GNA | Ejura (Ash), Aug 23, GNA - Available statistics show that there is generally a poor response to registration of marriages in the Ejura-Sekyedumase district, a predominantly maize and yam growing area.
Between May 2003 and the third week of August 2010, only 108 marriages had been registered under Customary Marriage, (Registration and Divorce) PNDC Law 112.
Mr Nelson Marfo, the Registrar of Marriages, in the district, identified inadequate information and education as the major factor for the disinterest.
PNDC Law 112 aims at giving more protection to women and children and came into effect in 1985.
Mr Marfo said it was important that couples took advantage of the law to regularize their relationships.
He said such registration provides proof of marriage and in the event of one of the partners dying intestate, the surviving spouse would enjoy his or her full share of the estate of the deceased, as provided for by the "Intestate Succession Law, PNDC Law 111. | Mills Would Be One Term President *Akufo- Addo * Source: Herbert Krapa | The New Patriotic Party’s Presidential Candidate for the 2012 general elections, Nana Akufo-Addo has stated that considering how badly President Mills is performing as leader of the country, coupled with the current political atmosphere in Ghana today, he is convinced that President Mills and his NDC would reign for only one term in office.
“The Ghanaian people have seen today that President Mills and his NDC party have no good policies and programmes that can help move our country forward and from all indications the Ghanaian electorate will show them their way out in 2012.” He said. He continued that "given how close the results of the 2008 elections were between me and then candidate Mills, the slightest shift in public opinion will mean victory for me and the NPP in 2012. “I am happy with the unity that continues to exist in the NPP even after our presidential primaries and I know that it will continue like this to ensure that our party wins the votes of the great majority of the Ghanaian people in 2012.” He added.
He was responding to questions from a section of the media in Takoradi after paying a visit to the Takoradi Market Circle to meet the traders, some residents and party members.
Nana Akufo-Addo noted that the NDC’s unimpressive record in government would play a major role in the upcoming 2012 general election and this he said would affect to a great extent the electoral fortunes of the NDC.
He added that “the NPP under President Kufuor demonstrated to all Ghanaians quality leadership that brought substantial growth, development and improvement to Ghana and the Ghanaian people. Today, the difference is clear.”
He continued that “the dynamics and circumstances of the 2012 general election would be different from that of 2008. The NDC which is now incumbent would have to defend their bad performance against the NPP’s myriad of achievements that we left behind and from what I see, everywhere I go, our party people are battle ready to face the NDC in 2012.”
Earlier at the Tarkoradi market Circle, the presence of Nana Akufo-Addo in the company of Hon. Kobby Otchere Darko-Mensah, MP for Takoradi, Hon. Paapa Owusu Ankomah, MP for Sekondi, Hon. Joe Ghattey, MP for Essikado Ketan and the Western Regional executives of the NPP, threw the market into a jubilant mood as hundreds of people, some clad in NPP paraphernalia cheered Nana Akufo-Addo on amidst brass band music, singing and dancing.
For over two hours commercial activities came to a halt as Nana Akufo-Addo walked through the market to exchange greetings with some traders, drivers and residents and to thank the market women for their continuous support for him and the NPP.
“I am confident that the energy and morale in our party today, particularly at the grassroots will transform into votes for that great victory of 2012.” He noted.
He concluded that “the greater battle of winning 2012 is ahead of us and what I can say to you is that it is our party and country that calls all of us to duty. It is a common enterprise and I plead with all to come on board to ensure that we win in 2012.” | Swazi queen thrilled by Ghana * Source: GNA | Sunyani, Aug 23, GNA - Nomsah E. Matsebula, Queen of Swaziland, has lauded the good ties between her country and Ghana and called for further co-operation for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
Speaking during a courtesy call on Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister in Sunyani, the Queen said the similarities in the cultures of the two countries called for greater efforts "to cement this relationship".
She conveyed the greetings of the King of Swaziland to the Minister, chiefs and people of Brong Ahafo and lauded the hospitality accorded her since she arrived in the country.
Mr Marfo gave a brief history of Brong Ahafo and noted the good relations between Ghana and Swaziland which he traced to the era of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President.
He expressed the hope that the Queen's visit would help initiate and strengthen ties between the chiefs and people of the region and the chiefs and people of Swaziland.
The Regional Minister and the Queen exchanged gifts on behalf of the people of their respective countries.
Queen Matsebula and her entourage were later thrilled by Tanokrom cultural troupe at a reception hosted by the Minister. | Free Media Scene Of Charlatans - Veep * Source: Ghanaian Times | The Vice-President, John Mahama, has urged the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to purge the media landscape of unprofessional practice by a section of its members which threatens to undermine the image of the noble profession.
He said issues about lack of accuracy and objectivity, poor language, and the activities of charlatans were uncomfortable to speak about, “but if we must purge our journalism of these negative tendencies, then we must first discuss the issues.”
Speaking at the 15th GJA Awards ceremony at the Banquet Hall , of the state House in Accra on Saturday, Vice-President Mahama noted that people’s perceptions were shaped by the media, which meant that the work of journalists should come with a sense of fairness, credibility and responsibility.
The occasion, themed, “Unethical journalism and corruption in the media: A danger to democracy,” witnessed the recognition of 37 people in various categories, who distinguished themselves in the journalism profession.
Vice-President Mahama observed that notwithstanding the negative tendencies, the media had claimed the pride of place in making Ghana the bastion of democracy. “We must appreciate the media for giving voice to dissenting opinions and giving voice to the voiceless,” he added.
As part of the constitutional review, he said the government was looking at Chapter 12 (section two), “to see how we can further improve the standards of journalism and expand the frontiers of press freedom.”
Additionally, he said institutions of governance such as the National Media Commission, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the National Commission for Civic Education, needed to be strengthened and adequately resourced to perform their roles effectively.
Vice-President Mahama commended the efforts of the GJA and its partners towards securing a broadcasting law, and assured the association that the government was committed to promulgating a law to improve the standards of broadcast journalism in Ghana.
“Government is also committed to making the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation a true public broadcaster,” Vice-President Mahama said, adding, GBC will be assisted to play its role more effectively.
He said the theme for the occasion was an indication that the GJA was committed to listening to public concerns and addressing it, stressing that it gave GJA the opportunity to re-focus on its ethics, media standards and the issue of corruption.
Vice-President Mahama said the annual awards were in the right direction because it promoted qualitative journalism. He congratulated the award winners and urged them to strive to achieve higher laurels.
Mr. John Tia Akologo, Minister of Information suggested that the GJA consider making its code of ethics legally binding on all its members so that relevant legal sanctions could be applied when any member fell foul in their application.
“I am aware of the inherent difficulties that such a move entails but with proper consultation and advocacy results could be achieved,” he said, adding, “Any move by the GJA aimed at ridding this country of charlatans and non-professionals in the media would receive maximum collaboration from government.”
He noted that corruption was not only a phenomenon to be covered by the press or something that existed entirely outside the newsroom but was also found inside the media itself. “There are cases where media organizations pay low wages to their personnel thereby making them susceptible to corruptions,” he said.
To combat the trend including the ‘money for service’ phenomenon, the minister said journalists themselves needed to do an introspection of their various organizations and the reasons for which they have been established. Mr. Ransford Tetteh, president of the GJA said there was empirical evidence that Ghana enjoyed a high level of press freedom. That fact, he said, was attested to by the current press freedom index of the global media watch organisation.
He conceded however that the media still had some way to go to be able to live up fully to public expectation and pointed out that the legal and moral authority of the media could only be strengthened through respect for ethics and the abhorrence of corruption.
Kabral Blay Amihere, Chairman of the National Media Commission urged the government to adequately resource the commission to enable it to effectively regulate the media landscape.
Mr. Aidan White, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Journalists, who chaired the function, urged Ghanaian journalists to expose corruption wherever it was and to lead the struggle for tolerance, democracy, peace and development. | Only seven out of 700 businesses file VAT returns *Source: GNA | Hohoe, Aug 23, GNA - Only seven out of over 700 active registered businesses that had transactions through Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Volta Region complied with filing their returns to the Value Added Tax (VAT).
They are the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC), South Dayi District Assembly, Kadjebi Directorate of Education, Nurses' Training Institute-Ho, Hohoe Municipal Hospital, Ho Polyclinic and Labour Department,Ho.
Mr Danso Kyerematen, Volta Regional Head of VAT who said this at a day's workshop, said filing of such returns was however dependent on undertaking a business venture.
He said the continuous engagement of unregistered businesses and persons by the MDAs and the Assemblies posed a major challenge to the VAT Service revenue mobilisation strategies.
Mr Justice Ebo Crentsil Jnr of tte VAT Service at Ho said unregistered traders collecting VAT from MDAs and the Assemblies and failing to forward such collections to VAT office and their use of fake or unauthorized VAT invoices was an affront to their operations.
He said the use of unauthorized VAT invoices to receive payments for goods and services from MDAs and failure to forward such receipts to the VAT Office by registered traders challenged the institution. |
_____________________________________________________ ----- | _________________________________ | - Ex-Minister’s Lover Still On The Run - State loses GH¢5,800,000 due to irregularities in Assemblies- Report - Low response to marriage registration in Ejura-Sekyedumase - Mills Would Be One Term President * Akufo- Addo - Swazi queen thrilled by Ghana - Free Media Scene Of Charlatans.. * Veep - Only seven out of 700 businesses file VAT returns - Abortion increases among girls in Asumura - Ketu South District Assembly makes huge revenue - HIV/AIDS is on the rise in Brong-Ahafo Region - President Mills urges Ghanaians to concentrate on worthy issues - Furniture and Interior decoration fair opens in Accra | Your Opinions | Have Your Say!
| Archived News for 2010 | News Page was last modified on Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:41:29 | 
| Abortion increases among girls in Asumura * Source: GNA | (B/A) Asumura, Aug. 23, GNA - Mr Kweku Amankwah, a hunter in Asumura in the Brong Ahafo Region, on Monday expressed worry over the increasing cases of pregnancy and abortion among girls between 10 to 17 years in Asumura and its environs.
He said the teenagers, who were often impregnated by elderly people in the community resorted to the use of herbs and other concoctions for abortion.
Mr Amankwa, who was speaking in an interview with GNA on Monday in Asumura, said "These men are the sources of the problem because the collect and administer the herbs on the pregnant girls who are mostly unaware of the consequences of the action."
He cited that some girls had to be rushed to Goaso Hospital for treatment and those who unfortunately get there late died.
Mr Amankwah alleged that his personal investigations indicated that the elderly offenders in the community were made up of the Police and the National Service personnel posted to the area.
When GNA contacted Mrs Alice Coffie, Assemblywoman of the Asumura Electoral Area, she confirmed the high rate of abortion among girls in the area, attributing the cause to lack of parental care and poverty.
She said the Christian community in recognizing the menace, had instituted a number of educational campaigns in the schools which was yet to yield any positive results.
Mrs Coffie called on parents to make girl-child education a priority since it was the most valuable asset they could give bequeath to their girls.
"I will like to challenge parents to be much more concerned about the education and the social wellbeing of their children especially the girl child," she said. | Ketu South District Assembly makes huge revenue *Source: GNA | Denu (V/R), Aug. 23, GNA - The Ketu South District Assembly collected GHC446, 997.62 Internally Generated Fund (IGF) last year, a 66.43% jump over the 2008 figure of GHC296, 938.28, thanks to a revenue regime overhaul policy.
Property tax revenue for instance shot up by 2,240% to GHC62, 292.00 from just GHC2, 780.00 in 2008, as the reforms successfully roped in the financial, insurance, electricity, telecommunication and manufacturing entities, which hitherto enjoyed virtual property tax holidays.
Based on its novelty performance, the Assembly has set GHC850, 000.00 as the internal revenue target for this year,
Mr. John Kwadzo Addy, the District Finance Officer (DFO), told the He said about 20 people were being prepared for court for obstruction and failure to pay tax.
Out of the sanity introduced, he said building permits also brought in GHC45,588.0 or 97.62% over the GHC 23,069.00 in 2008, market tolls grew 11.34% or GHC97,007.24 from GHC87,124.25, waybills leaped 13.59% from GHC29,787.80 to GHC33,835.00 while public toilets made 161.38% or GHC29,641.00 from GHC11,340.00.
The Assembly, Mr. Addy said, despite failing to meet the actual GHc521, 000.00 target for 2009, felt satisfied with the 66.43% over the previous year's growth and would maintain and improve on the policy tempo.
He commended the renewed commitment of all sections of the Assembly including the collectors for the success.
He said out of the IGF, two staff quarters are being put at Tokor-Denu, rehabilitation works are going on at Agbozume, Denu-Hdzranawo and Aflao markets and the expenditure for maintenance of the military and police detachments often called in to assist.
Mr. Frank Amable, the Ketu South District Chief Executive, said two roads including the Beat Nine road have been awarded on contract for tarring and work would start soon. | HIV/AIDS is on the rise in Brong-Ahafo Region * Source: GNA | Sunyani, Aug 23, GNA - HIV/AIDS is on the increase in the Brong-Ahafo Region as "Sentinel Reports" indicated an increment from 2.6 per cent in 2008 to 2.9 per cent in 2009, Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, the Regional Minister, has said.
He said out of 10,036 patients and blood donors screened by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) last year 1,685 were found to be positive.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo said in 2007 the region recorded 88 maternal deaths and dropped to 81 in 2008 but increased to 89 in 2009 which represented a rate of 210 per 100,000 live births as compared to the National Institutional Maternal Mortality rate of 196 per 100,000 live births.
The Regional Minister, who was speaking at the opening of the third annual general conference of Ghana Association of Public Health Technical Officers, said the situation demanded an immediate solution.
The five-day conference is being attended by about 250 Field Technicians, Leprosy Control Officers, Disease Control Technical Officers, Nutrition Technical Officers, Health Information Officers and Community Health Officers.
The conference is sponsored jointly by the World Health Orgaionsation (WHO), National Malaria Control Programme (NAMCOP) and Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo said the region exceeded its 2009 target of child immunization as it was able to vaccinate 470,800 children during the third round of the national immunization days, representing 102.4 percent over the expected coverage.
Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang, the Deputy Regional Director of the GHS, reiterated the need for public health workers and other health partners to work as a team.
Daasebre Dr. Amankona Diawuo II, Paramount Chief of Berekum who chaired the function, said developed countries relied more on disease prevention in their public health system and appealed to the government to recognize the association for their inputs in the formulation and implementation of health policies.
Mr. Osei Kwaakye, national secretary of the association, said members of GAPHTO could be the most reliable and viable human resource base the government could depend on within the arena of health sector.
This he attributed to their selfless contributions towards the promotion of public health as well as their dedication, commitment and devotion to work at all levels in the country.
Mr. Kwaakye said unlike other health professionals their members were "not trained by the state at a loss" because "we stay back to contribute to the health and socio-economic development of the country rather than going to seek for greener pastures elsewhere as practiced by some health professionals".
He said members would never relent in their efforts to serve the country, adding "we shall endeavour to intensify our collaboration with policy makers and other partners for the mutual growth and development of the association". | President Mills urges Ghanaians to concentrate on worthy issues * Source: GNA | Accra, Aug. 23, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Monday urged Ghanaians to concentrate on worthy issues, instead of speculations and hear-say.
"Let us concentrate on what is worthy and leave aside all these speculations," said President Mills. Addressing journalists on arrival in Accra from the US, President Mills said it was unfortunate that anytime he left the country for a while, rumours begun to circulate that he was suffering from some ailment.
This month President Mills began a three-week leave, and spent 10 days with family and friends in the US. The President observed that periodic medical check up was ideal for everybody, and "at 66, checking on his physical wellbeing did not in the least mean he is not well.
"I can assure you that I am a very healthy person". Touching on some comments concerning his administration, President Mills said the issue of assessing the performance of a Government was not simple.
He observed that circumstances during governance varied and coupled with different expectations from the public could make someone highly impressed with the governance process while another would not feel the same. On the Judiciary, President Mills said it was independent and absolutely respected. He called on Ghanaians to continue to be patriotic and have goodwill for the nation, adding "national growth and progress counted most". President Mills was met on arrival by Vice President John Dramani Mahama, Ministers of State, Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Peter Blay, Inspector General of Police, Paul Quaye, and other government officials. | Furniture and Interior decoration fair opens in Accra * Source: GNA | Accra, Aug. 23, GNA - A three-day Furniture and Decoration Fair to give local furniture producers a platform to showcase their products to the general public has opened in Accra.
The venue of the Fair is the National Theatre.
The event was organized by Xodus Communications in partnership with the Ministry of Information and sought to bring together local furniture producers and decorators to a common platform to exhibit their products.
The Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who opened the Fair, described it as an avenue for carpenters and decorators to exhibit their creative skills as well as erase certain stereotypes attached to the profession.
Mr Ablakwa who described the trade as a professional calling, advised that in the production of the furniture, they should bring out the best of Ghanaian culture which would create a unique brand and identity for the country.
He gave the assurance that government would support them in the furniture sector to help boost their businesses which would help the country and urged the Ghanaian public to patronize made in Ghana products.
The Chief Executive Officer of Xodus Communications, Mr Richard Abbey Jnr., said the Fair was to give carpenters and decorators the opportunity to exhibit their products and give them ample business opportunities.
Exhibitors at the Fair included Simbins Furniture, Agorwu Furniture, Exotique Beads, Ceiling Professional Limited and Lifestyle Gallery.
Some of the items on display ranged from furniture, beads, aquariums, kitchen cabinets, and wall unit. | All about the Ghana Election 2008 |
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