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NCA scandal: Speedy trial in the interest of accused persons- Gloria Akuffo

By
Porcia Oforiwaa
-

 

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Gloria Akuffo, says a speedy trial will be in the interest of persons involved in the $ 6 million NCA scandal.

The immediate-past Board Chairman of the National Communication Authority (NCA) and three others are in court for alleged fraud and causing financial loss to the state.

Speaking to the media shortly after the Commercial Court 7 of the Accra High Court, presided by Justice Eric Kyei Baffour, granted  bail to  two of the accused persons, the Attorney General said,  “first of all, there are a lot of things that would happen; we are now beginning with challenges of ill health of two of the accused persons and we have to do with commitment because our office is very busy, but we are prepared to sacrifice everything so the trial will be heard expeditiously.

"I am minded to think that the more expeditious we handle it, the better  in the interest of the accused persons… where you have this hanging on your neck is not the best of things”.

Justice Kyei Baffour proposed to hear the case on every weekday as part of measures to expedite the trial but lawyers for the accused persons said such a routine would inconvenience them and their clients because two of their them (clients) will need to visit the hospital three  times a week 

A compromised schedule of Tuesdays and Thursdays was reached. The case was adjourned to 16 January.

Background

The state believes Mr Baffoe-Bonnie, a Board member of NCA , former NCA CEO, Mr Tevie, and Alhaji Osman, were aided by Mr Oppong, a private citizen, to engage in the act.

According to the state, the previous administration had contracted an Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited, to supply listening equipment at the cost of $6 million, to enable the authorities monitor conversations of persons suspected to be engaged in terrorism.

Mr Oppong also charged $2 million to facilitate the transaction, bringing the total sum to $8 million. The state said National Security did not have the money to fund the transaction, therefore, the NCA, which has supervisory jurisdiction over the use of such equipment, was asked to fund the project.

The officials according to the state, withdrew $4 million from the accounts of the NCA and paid $1 million into the accounts of the Israeli company.

The remaining $3 million was lodged in the accounts of Mr Oppong, who acted as a representative of local agent Infraloks Development Ltd.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Barimah Saakwa
 

Cash- for -seat : You pay to sit by Trump- NPP MP

By
Porcia Oforiwaa
-

 

Member of Parliament for the Tarkwa- Nsuaem Constituency in the Western Region, Mr. George Mireku Duker, has justified the alleged cash -for -seat, saying the practice “  it is  a  convention  at the White House to pay to sit close to the  President at public functions.” 

The two –time Municipal Chief Executive made the comment Tuesday on Atinka TV’s Ghana Nie hosted by Bismark Brown.

 According to him, there is nothing wrong with the practice, adding that, it is common in the “USA where high profile personalities pay to sit by Presidents”. He disclosed that the practice is christened Gold plate offer.

In a sharp rebuttal, Deputy Communications Director of the opposition National Democratic (NDC), Mr. Kwaku Boahen said the conduct of the Trade Ministry  was  a clear case of extortion.

There  has  been  public outrage over claims that the Trade Ministry extorted $100,000 from expatriates for a "presidential seat" at the recently held Ghana Expatriates Business Awards (GEBA).

Deputy Trade Minister Carlos Ahenkorah has admitted that some monies were taken from expatriates, but said they were later transferred into the account of the organizers of the event, Millennium Excellence Foundation (MEF).

Meanwhile, Parliament on Friday set up a five-member special adhoc committee to investigate the cash-for-seat saga involving the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The committee is to investigate whether any levy had been imposed on the expatriates and the collection of same.

It  will also investigate how payments were disbursed and whether the disbursements offended any laws.

The committee is to also investigate when the matter arose, whether it could be perceived to be something new that has arisen; whether the matter could have been raised during the regular sitting and also whether the matter had been raised during the last session.

The committee, which is to present its report to Parliament on January 24, 2018, has the Majority Chief Whip, Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, as the Chairman with Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah, Chairman of the Finance Committee, the MP for Ademtan, Mr Yaw Buaben Asamoa, the Deputy Minority Leader, James Avedzi, and the MP for Bolgatanga East, Dr Dominic Ayine as members.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com |Paul Norsah

South Africa train crash: 200 injured near Johannesburg

By
Daniel Opare
-

Emergency services in South Africa say that at least 200 people have been injured in a train crash.

No fatalities have been reported so far in the incident in Germiston, a town around 12 miles (20 km) east of Johannesburg.

Many of the passengers were commuters on their way to work.

It is not clear what caused the collision, but local media is reporting that an incoming train hit a stationary train from behind.

Paramedics say passengers sustained "minor to moderate" injuries and will receive further treatment in hospital.

Nana Radebe, a spokeswoman for Johannesburg's Emergency Management Services, tweeted:

It follows a fatal collision last week when a car hitting a train at a level crossing in Kroonstad, in Free State province, which is now known to have killed 19 people.

bbc

Causing financial loss: Former NCA boss granted  $1m bail

By
Porcia Oforiwaa
-

 

Commercial Court 7 of the Accra High Court presided by Justice Eric Kyei Baffour has granted bail to the remaining two of five people, including some ex-National Communication Authority (NCA) management members, who are standing trial for wilfully causing financial loss to the state as far as the procurement of a $6million monitoring equipment for the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) is concerned.

Former Chief Executive Officer of the NCA, William Tevie and Nana Owusu Esuon, were on Tuesday, 9 January admitted to a $1million bail each with two sureties. They are to surrender their passports to the court registrar.

The two pleaded not guilty to all the counts preferred against them.

The other three appeared in court on 22 December 2017 and were granted $1 million bail each with three sureties and were also to surrender their passports to the court registrar.

They include former Board Chair of the NCA, Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie; Mr George Oppong, a local agent for Infralocks Development Ltd.; and Alhaji Limuna Osman, former Deputy National Security Coordinator.

All five were on 22 December 2017 charged and arraigned for wilfully causing financial loss to the state contrary to section 23(1) and section 179(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960, Act 29.

The five were also charged with 16 other offences.

Facts of the Case

The state believes Mr Baffoe-Bonnie, Mr Tevie, and Alhaji Osman, were aided by Mr Oppong, a private citizen, to engage in the act.

According to the state, the previous administration had contracted an Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited, to supply listening equipment at the cost of $6 million, to enable the authorities monitor conversations of persons suspected to be engaged in terrorism.

Mr Oppong also charged $2 million to facilitate the transaction, bringing the total sum to $8 million. The state said National Security did not have the money to fund the transaction, therefore, the NCA, which has supervisory jurisdiction over the use of such equipment, was asked to fund the project.

The officials according to the state, withdrew $4 million from the accounts of the NCA and paid $1 million into the accounts of the Israeli company.

The remaining $3 million was lodged in the accounts of Mr Oppong, who acted as a representative of local agent Infraloks Development Ltd.

The entire deal was allegedly fronted by Alhaji Osman, Minister of Information Mustapha Abdul-Hamid told journalists last year.

Justice Kyei Baffour proposed to hear the case on every week day as part of measures to expedite the trial but lawyers for the accused persons said such a routine would inconvenience them and their clients.

A compromise schedule of Tuesdays and Thursdays was reached.

The case was adjourned to 16 January.

Classfmonline

Video: AMA , traders clash over decongestion

By
Porcia Oforiwaa
-

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) embarked on a decongestion exercise in some parts of Accra on Monday

Atinka TV’s cameras managed to capture some interesting scenes during day one of the exercise at the “Railway Line,” close to the VIP station at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange.

 

Watch video below:

Zimbabwe investigates Grace Mugabe's doctorate

By
Porcia Oforiwaa
-

 


Zimbabwean anti-corruption authorities have opened an investigation into the controversial awarding of a doctorate to Zimbabwe's former First Lady Grace Mugabe, news agency AFP reports.

Phyllis Chikundura, the spokesperson for Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, confirmed there was an ongoing investigation.

"We confirm there is such a report and there is such a probe," she said.

Mrs Mugabe reportedly got the PhD after months of study in 2014.

State-run The Herald newspaper reported at the time that Mrs Mugabe's dissertation was on the theme of "changing social structure (and) the functions of the family".

It reported she undertook research on Zimbabwean children's homes.

Mrs Mugabe was personally capped by her husband and then-president Robert Mugabe, who was also the chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe.

She was praised at the time by other government officials who defended the controversial degree award.

Mrs Mugabe had hoped to replace her husband as leader, but antagonised a faction of the ruling Zanu-PF party which led to a fallout within the party.

The military then stepped in and forced President Mugabe to end his 37 year rule of the southern African country and installing his former deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, as president.

BBC

A guy tried to forcefully have sex with me in his office – Joselyn Dumas

By
Porcia Oforiwaa
-

The habit of men who are usually wealthy or occupying top government positions sleeping with women before giving them jobs is canker we as Ghanaians need to strongly advocate against.

Ghana actress and TV personality Joselyn Dumas in her latest episode of “Keeping It Real With Joselyn Dumas” shared a similar experience which happened to her a while back.

The actress revealed that she went for a business presentation to close a deal, and after the guy tried to forcefully kiss her, and have his way with her.

According to her, it was the most awkward feeling she has ever experienced.

She said this during a chit-chat with her friends, Stephanie Karikari and Yaa Boadi Okudzeto on the topic “Corporate Whore.”

“Have you ever had a situation where the guy, probably kiss you in his office, after you finished talking, and he’s literally, trying to pounce on you?” she asked her friends.

Her friends, Stephanie and Yaa responded “No”.

However, Joselyn responded saying “I have”.

“It is the most awkward feeling because you know this is somebody you know for a fact, and you need to go to the next level with this deal,” she added.

Joselyn Dumas is a Ghanaian television host and actress. In 2014 she starred in “A Northern Affair”, a role that earned her a Ghana Movie Award and an Africa Movie Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.


 joshthevanisher.com 

Ghanaian gays treated as second-class citizens – Report

By
Daniel Opare
-

Human Rights Watch wants the Ghana government to repeal colonial-era laws that criminalizes same-sex activity.

In its latest report, Human Right Watch noted Ghanaians who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) suffer widespread discrimination and abuse and are virtually living as second-class citizens.

Human Rights Watch is therefore questioning the retention of section 104 of the Criminal Offences Act since that is thwarting efforts to protect the rights of members of the LGBTI community.

“Having a law on the books that criminalizes adult consensual same-sex conduct contributes to a climate in which LGBT people are frequently victims of violence and discrimination,” said Wendy Isaack, LGBT rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.

“Homophobic statements by local and national government officials, traditional elders, and senior religious leaders foment discrimination and in some cases, incite violence.”

Human Rights Watch interviewed 114 LGBT people in Accra, Tamale, Kumasi, and Cape Coast in December 2016 and February 2017. Human Rights Watch also interviewed three representatives of human rights organizations based in Ghana, a CHRAJ complaints officer, the assistant police commissioner, and three diplomats in Accra.

Many of those interviewed said that the law contributes to a climate in which violence and discrimination against LGBT people is common. The provision is rarely, if ever, used to prosecute people, and unlike several of its neighbors, Ghana has not taken steps in recent years to stiffen penalties against consensual same-sex conduct or to expressly criminalize sexual relations between women.

“The government should recognize that we are human beings, with dignity, not treat us as outcasts in our own society,” said a 40-year old lesbian from Cape Coast. “We want to be free, so we can stand tall in public and not deal with obstacles and harassment daily – this will make it easier for us to get an education, learn a trade, get jobs and be useful and productive Ghanaians.”

The Ghana Police Service has at times responded appropriately to abuses against LGBT people, for example in cases of false accusation and blackmail of gay men in Tamale. CHRAJ has an online system to register allegations of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and has processed 36 cases.

But in February 2017, Mike Ocquaye, the parliament speaker, referred to homosexuality as an “abomination” and called for stricter laws against same-sex conduct. In July, during a public discussion about prospects for abolishing the death penalty, he equated homosexuality with bestiality. His comments have heightened tensions for LGBT people and contributed to an increase in calls by some opinion leaders, including other members of parliament, to further criminalize same-sex activity.

In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, President Nana Akufo-Addo made rather conciliatory remarks. When asked why the law remained on the books, he said he did not believe “a sufficiently strong coalition has emerged which is having that impact on public opinion that will say change it – let’s then have new paradigm in Ghana.”

Dozens of LGBT people have been attacked by mobs or by members of their own families, Human Rights Watch found. In August 2015, in Nima, a town in the Accra region, members of Safety Empire, a vigilante group, brutally assaulted a young man they suspected was gay. In May 2016, in a village outside Kumasi in the Ashanti region, the mother of a young woman organized a mob to beat up her daughter and another woman because she suspected they were lesbians and in a same-sex relationship. The two young women were forced to flee the village.

Starrfmonline.com

 

 

 

'I never slept with Rev. Owusu Bempah' – Daughter exposes mother

By
Daniel Opare
-

 

A 20 –year -old lady has denied claims by her mother that Rev Owusu Bempah, Founder and leader of the Glorious Word Ministry International had sex with both of them (mother and daughter).

The mother, popularly called Eno reportedly accused Founder and leader of the Glorious Word Ministry International Rev Owusu Bempah, of sleeping with her, her friends and even her daughter which she named as Yvonne.

However, speaking  with  Roman Fada on Atinka Fm’s mid-morning show "Adwuma ooo” Monday, Yvonne explained that she has never had any sexual encounter with Rev Owusu Bempah, adding that the rumour going round  is only a plot by her mother to tarnish her image and that of the man of God.

She added that,  her mother developed hatred for her after she (Yvonne) opted out of a plot by her mother and friends to extort money from the man of God.

According to Yvonne,  her mother asked her to go to the media and allege that he (Owusu Bempah) had sexual intercourse with her.

“My mother promised to give me GHS50, 000 if I accept to conspire and disgrace Rev. Owusu Bempah but I declined”, she fumed.

Ghana | atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

Relationship advice for women from men

By
Porcia Oforiwaa
-

 

When a girl needs a bit of advice about men, where does she normally turn? Other girls, of course, but then, that’s a bit like asking your doctor to fix your car. Your doctor may well know a lot about cars and be more than able to give you some sound advice, but wouldn’t it be easier to talk to a mechanic? It occurred to us that, if we wanted some relationship tips on how women should deal with men, then we should ask some men and these are ten of the tips that they gave us:

1. Guys can be just good friends

Forget whatever else you’ve heard. It is perfectly possible for a man to be just friends with a girl. In fact, a man can be best buddies with a member of the opposite gender and it can still be purely a platonic friendship, so don’t drive yourself crazy, every time your guy talks to another girl.

2. Keep it simple

Men want a simple and straightforward relationship. No mind games, no manipulation and don’t expect a man to read your mind. Straight forward communication is what a guy wants: an agreement on how fast a relationship is moving and the direction in which it is heading, and if you don’t like something, make sure to tell him about it without expecting him to read your mind.

3. Don’t pretend to like things that you don’t

Another relationship advice for women from men is – don’t pretend to like something when you really don’t. A guy would rather like that you say you don’t like football, than you sit in silence through the game pretending that you do. There’s nothing wrong with having different interests, that’s a part of what makes a relationship fun and, if you pretend to like something that really don’t, he’s only going to feel guilty, when he finds out that he made you sit through it.
4. Men do want commitment

It’s a myth that men are scared of commitment. They may worry about the responsibilities of marriage and children, and they won’t want to commit to that until they are ready, but they value commitment and fidelity far more than you might imagine.

5. A man is not a work in progress for you to complete

Next relationship advice for women from men is – don’t try to change your man. Men want to be appreciated for who they are and not for what you think you can turn them into. Treating a man like a pet project and trying to change him will just make him feel inadequate and unappreciated and, ultimately, turn him away from you.

6. Not all men are the same

Another relationship advice for women from men is – don’t consider all men the same. One thing that really frustrates a man is being told that you are afraid of being hurt again. Just because your last boyfriend was the lowest of the low, doesn’t mean that your current man will be the same. Men are not all the same, so leave your baggage where it belongs, in the past.

7. Men need their ‘man moments’

Boys need their boys’ nights out. There’s nothing to be jealous about and nothing is going on. Men just need their male bonding moments and, when they get home, they’ll love you even more, because they work out that they missed you.

8. Guys love a woman with identity and opinion

Men like to be wanted and even to be needed, but not all the time! They like it when their partners have their own identity, opinions, aspirations and dreams, and they love a woman who can stand on her own two feet at his side.

9. Men love being appreciated and they do love praise

Another relationship advice for women from men is – make sure to show some appreciation to your man. Men hate being run down and picked on but they do love being appreciated. An honest opinion, even a negative one, will be well received, if it is sincere, but constant nit picking will just lose its effect after a while, especially, if you also don’t give praise, where praise is due.

10. Communication, about everything, is important


Guys are no good at all at reading subtle signs, so a good and straightforward communication is the key to a successful relationship. Don’t be afraid to discuss with your partner what’s good for you and what’s not. Just be gentle and constructive and he will listen, because he really does want to make it right for you.

Do you have some other relationship advice for women? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Stay happy!


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