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Wrongdoers must be punished, not freed- Rawlings advises Nii Lante

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February 26, 2018

Former President Jerry Rawlings has warned the National Democratic Congress(NDC) that it risks being in opposition "for a very long time" if the quest for political power is to release wrongdoers from prison.

The former president’s comment follows assertion by MP for Odododiodio, Nii Lante Vanderpuije that NDC will release Abuga Pele if it wins the 2020 election.

An Accra High Court on Friday, February sentenced former National Coordinator of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Agency [GYEEDA], Abuga Pele to six years imprisonment for willfully causing financial loss to the state.

The Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill International Group, Philip Assibit, was also a jailed 12 years for various offences .

However, speaking to the media on Saturday on the sidelines of the NDC’s Unity walk in Somanya last Saturday, Nii Lante Vanderpuije said, “It is unfortunate but I can only say that this will not dampen the spirit of the NDC. Between 2001 and 2004, they sentenced Tsatsu Tsikata, Dan Abodakpi, Ibrahim Adam and Kwame Peprah. It did not stop us from winning elections in 2008. We are going to win the elections and bring Abuga Pele out,”

The comments has attracted widespread condemnation with some Ghanaians calling on the MP to apologise.

President Rawlings took to his Twitter handle to condemn the remarks, saying stealing and corruption put no one above the law. Those who have committed crimes deserve to be punished

Below is the full statement:

POLITICAL POWER NOT FOR FREEING THE GUILTY

Stealing and corruption puts no one above the law. Those who have committed crimes deserve to be punished. If the quest for political power is to release wrongdoers from prison, then the NDC is laying its own foundation to remain in opposition for a long long time. Fortunately, this kind of talk belongs to a handful of people in the NDC leadership who have gained power and influence they do not deserve and the sooner they are packed off, the better for the NDC and this country.

Obviously, the corruption by some of those who were in office, resulting in a humiliating defeat in the last election does not appear to have affected their conscience and reasoning in any way.

The NDC needs to regain its moral compass. A party born out of the explosive circumstances of our past should not find herself so HIGH on the scale of corruption. Just as the negative elements in various parties are networking to protect their misdeeds, so also must the positive minded personalities and supporters in the various parties also network to contain and keep such elements from political power.

While the current circumstances favour patriotic forces the most, the unpatriotic elements are more bent on collaborating and exploiting the constitutional climate. Let’s make changes for the better. Clear the bad and retain the good. Bring on board other patriots.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Bawumia: Gov’t will support Audit Service to safeguard public purse

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February 26, 2018

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Vice President Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, says government will do everything possible to help the Audit Service safeguard the public purse.

Speaking at the 2018 Accountability Lectures and Launching of 2017 Financial Year’ s Audit at the Accra International Conference Center Monday, the vice president said, “Government will assist the audit service by providing the necessary support to ensure that collectively we safeguard the public purse against those who believe that that their wealth ought to be bigger than our common good.”

The theme for the occasion was, “Protecting the Public Purse- Our Commitment towards Ghana’s Development Agenda.”

Dr. Bawumia also said the country has what it takes to generate sufficient revenue to provide jobs for the teeming tertiary graduates, and also build a sound infrastructure base for economic growth and development.

According to him, this can only be achieved if much attention is given to revenue mobilization to ensure that all moneys due to the State by way of tax and non-tax revenue are fully and properly collected and accounted for.

“But without blocking the leakages in the system, all our efforts towards revenue generation will go to waste because some public officeholders will collude with third parties or private sector operators to appropriate public funds for their personal economic gains,” Dr Bawumia said.

The vice president therefore assured the Auditor-General and the Audit Service Board that, government would make every effort to provide the needed resources for their work.

He said government has already demonstrated such commitment by increasing its (Audit Service) budget for goods and services from GHC14million in 2016, to GHC19million in 2017, and almost doubling it to GHC35million in the 2018 budget.

“I am proud to say that as we did in 2017, government is committed to releasing all your budgeted funds in 2018. Delays in the release of funds compromise your ability to meet deadlines for the submission of the Auditor- General’s report to Parliament,” he said

The vice president urged the Auditor- General and the Special Prosecutor to work closely in ensuring a sound and effective public financial management in the country.

"These two institutions should work hard to bring to book any corrupt public official – be it a politician or a public servant, without fear or favour.

"With the current posture of the Auditor General and what we know about the Special Prosecutor, I can say with confidence that the desire of President Akufo-Addo and this government to protect the public purse will come to pass sooner than later," he said.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

South Sudan sex scandal reflection of indiscipline in Ghana- Budu Koomson

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February 26, 2018

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Renowned Security Analyst, Captain (Rtd) Budu Koomson, has asserted the sexual abuse allegations against the 46 officers of the Ghana Police on Peace Keeping Mission in South Sudan is a reflection of indiscipline in Ghana.

According to him, the unfortunate development has marred the country’s image as far as peace-keeping mission is concerned.

Captain Budu Koomson made the assertion Monday in a telephone interview with Bismark Brown, host of Atinka TV’s Morning Show, “Ghana Nie.”

He, however berated the attitude and conduct of the police officers in that country’s capital, Jubah, saying their actions have dented the country’s image and integrity which has been intact since 1960 when the country started embarking on peacekeeping missions.

Captain Koomson entreated the hierarchy of the Ghana Police Service to punish the offending officers severely to serve as deterrent.

A statement signed by UNMISS head, David Shearer, said it had received information which “indicates that some members of the FPU (Formed Police Unit) allegedly engaged in transactional sex.

“This is a clear breach of the U.N. and UNMISS Code of Conduct which prohibits sexual relationships with vulnerable individuals, including all beneficiaries of assistance," it said.

He added, “on 8 February, a complaint was received alleging that members of the Ghanaian Formed Police Unit (FPU) were engaging in sexual activity with women living at the UN Protection of Civilians site in Wau.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com |Paul Norsah.

Ayariga chases state agencies over operation manual

Politics

Daniel Opare

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February 26, 2018

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Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has asked state Institutions to present their operation manuals to Parliament for legislative backing (LI) or have their operations halted by the Supreme Court.

The law maker said, he will personally head to the Supreme Court to file a case to stop some state institutions should they fail to present their operation manuals.

Speaking to Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive Monday, Mahama Ayariga explained that the imprisoning of Abuga Pele and Philip Assibit pushed him to take on some state agencies to hand over their reforms to parliament or face the Supreme Court

He said he will personally write to every agency of government concerned and demand that the regulations be brought to Parliament within 30 days.

According to him, he will proceed to the Supreme Court to seek an injunction against their operations since they are illegal.

“For instance the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) does not have any law backing its establishment. Meanwhile the government makes provision for millions of cedis which are being misappropriated buy its leaders,”he added.

Mr Ayariga said the institutions need regulations to ensure that all persons are treated fairly and make every institution free of partisan politics.

Ghana | atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

Sex claims against security persons on peace keeping not new- Ex- police chief

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Daniel Opare

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February 26, 2018

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A retired Police Inspector, Micheal Asamaoh, has described the reported sex scandal involving Ghanaian peace keepers in Sudan as embarrassing.

According to him, although sex scandal involving police personnel on peace keeping are not new, the act needs to be discouraged.

The U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has recalled a Ghanaian police unit working at one of its protection camps while it investigates allegations that some of them were involved in sexual abuse, it said on Saturday.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan said it had asked the 46-member unit to return to the capital Juba from its Protection of Civilians site in Wau, northwest of Juba, after an investigation was launched into a complaint that members of the unit were having sexual relations with women living at the camp.

In an interview with Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive, Inspector Micheal Asamaoh, explained that the current scandal has just been overblown due to the number of persons involved.

According to him, security persons on peace keeping are deprived of their social lives and that some personnel take undue advantage of the local indigenes and abuse them.

“Most of the time, there is indiscipline at the peace keeping camps. At the camps, there are no leaders hence most of the people who cannot control themselves end up in a situation like this”, he added.

Ghana | atinkaoline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

Mahama leaves for Sierra Leone

Politics

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February 26, 2018

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Former President John Dramani Mahama leaves Accra today for Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he will be leading a number of meetings aimed at ensuring a peaceful election and its aftermath in the West African Country.

Sierra Leone will go to the polls on March 07, with sixteen political parties contesting
the Presidential Election.

Recognised as a leading voice for the consolidation of democracy and improving electoral activities across the continent, President Mahama, at the invitation of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) of Sierra Leone, will “lead the discussions in a closed-door high-level breakfast meeting between the Presidential Candidates and their Running Mates, Commissioners of the PPRC, Electoral Officials, Police Chief, Paramount Chiefs and Eminent Persons.”

According to the PPRC, President Mahama as an exemplary leader who is held in very high regard in Sierra Leone “will explore with the aspirants, their aspirations, challenges and fears ahead of the election as well as encourage them to subscribe to the Peace Pledge.”

As part of his activities, the former President of Ghana will also preside over the signing of a Peace Pledge by the Presidential Candidates on Wednesday February 28, hold talks with President Ernest Bai Koroma and hold separate meetings with the Candidates, the Electoral Commission, Police Chief and Sierra Leone’s Donor Partners.
President Mahama will meanwhile also lead the Commonwealth Observer Group to
the Sierra Leone election.

SIGNED
Joyce Bawah Mogtari Special Aide
Monday, February 26, 2018

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Tanzania: MP jailed 5 months for defaming president

International

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February 26, 2018

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A Tanzanian opposition MP has been handed a five-month prison sentence after being found guilty of defaming President John Magufuli, The Citizen news site reports.
Joseph Mbilinyi – popularly known as Sugu – from the opposition Chadema party, was convicted by a magistrate's court in the southwestern town of Mbeya.

His co-accused, Emmanuel Masonga, was handed a similar prison sentence.

The two were accused of committing "hate speech" against President Magufuli at Mwenge Primary School in Mbeya on 30 December last year.

Mbilinyi earlier urged his supporters to remain calm and accept any form of court judgment.

Observers say the ruling will deepen concerns that Magufuli's intolerance of dissent is eroding Tanzanian democracy.

BBC

Kotoko appoint Paa Kwesi Fabin as new head coach

Sports

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February 26, 2018

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Former Ghana U-17 coach, Samuel Paa Kwesi Fabin, has signed a one-year contract to take charge of Asante Kotoko ahead of the 2017/18 season.

The 59-year old experienced local coach and UEFA Pro License holder takes over from former Head Coach Steven Polack.

The British trainer was relieved of his post barely 48 hours after Kotoko's elimination from the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup at the first preliminary round stage by CARA Brazzaville.

Paa Kwesi Fabin, who is re-joining the Porcupines after a 3-year stint between 2019 and 2012, has the task of building a winsome side with Kotoko and he tells asantekotokosc.com his delight in joining the club and pledges to work hard to put it at an appreciable level.

"I am delighted to be here. I promise to work hard to improve the team and get it at the level that we all can be proud of"

He first worked with the club during the Herbert Mensah era where he was in-charge of the club's youth side which produced budding talents who went on to play for the senior team.

In 2009/10 season, he was hired again as head coach but was sacked with six matches to the end of the season.

The new coach met his Assistant Akakpo Patron shortly after the signing and would meet the rest of the technical team and the playing body at the Adako Jachie training grounds today.

Paa Kwesi Fabin previously coached Hearts of Lions and Hearts of Oak and was also been the interim head coach of Inter Allies before becoming the head coach of the Black Starlet side.

Source: Asantekotokosc.com

‘Black Panther’ crosses $700 Million globally, annihilating newcomers

Entertainment

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February 26, 2018

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If it keeps this up, “Black Panther” could be the newest member of moviedom’s $1 billion club.

Having had a week to absorb its record-setting arrival, Hollywood is now sizing up the staying power of Marvel’s latest superhero movie. In its second weekend, “Black Panther” demonstrated an astounding hold on audiences in the United States and Canada, collecting about $108 million and pushing its global total after only 12 days of release to roughly $704 million, according to comScore.

As a point of context, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” collected $773 million in 2014 over its entire five-month run.

Imax, which is playing “Black Panther” in more than 60 countries, said people are paying to see the film more than once, a quality that the biggest of the big movies share. “This movie has very strong word of mouth and a deeply loyal core fan base, which are both necessary criteria for repeat business,” said Greg Foster, Imax’s entertainment chief.

And the euphorically reviewed film has yet to arrive in China and Japan, two of Hollywood’s biggest markets. Strong results in other Asian countries, including South Korea, bode well.

For the weekend in North America, three new movies arrived in wide release, and each struggled to get noticed as “Black Panther” dominated. “Game Night” (Warner Bros.) did the best, taking second place with an estimated $16.6 million. New Line, a division of Warner, spent about $35 million to make the R-rated comedy, which received very strong reviews and stars Rachel McAdams and Jason Bateman.

Most critics loved “Annihilation,” but multiplex ticket buyers gave it a C grade in CinemaScore exit polls. Had it cost less to produce, Mr. Garland’s movie possibly could have succeeded as an art-house film.

But Paramount, which has struggled badly of late, wants to compete in the wide-release business. “Annihilation” was a holdover from a previous management team at the studio, where a large number of senior executives have quit or been fired over the last year as the studio attempts a turnaround. New managers sold off overseas rights for “Annihilation” to Netflix.

The weekend’s remaining new wide-release film was “Every Day,” a microbudgeted teenage fantasy-romance that took in about $3.1 million and was marketed mostly online. The movie was the first from a rebooted Orion Pictures, which is owned by Metro Goldwyn Mayer.

New York