Atinka Online

Mahama: There were irregularities with 2016 elections but…

Politics

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January 10, 2018

Former President John Mahama has conceded for the first time there were irregularities with the 2016 elections which he lost to then-candidate Nana Akufo-Addo.

According to him, he rejected the option of touring the country to gather evidence of over-voting and other irregularities because his National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign wanted to institutionalise democracy.

“It is not that there were no irregularities. I could have gone round and gathered all kinds of examples of over-voting and tie the nation in court again. But I do think that the NDC is playing the game democratically,” he said.

He made the comments during an interview with Abdul Hayi Moomen on the state broadcaster, GBC on Tuesday.
According to the President, unlike the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the NDC does not find it difficult to accept defeat.

“The NPP are the ones that often will never accept when they have lost an election. But be that as it may, I say Ghana has earned accolade ‘beacon of democracy’ because the elections have been largely successful.

In 2012, Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, then a Vice Presidential candidate, led an eight-month-long legal tussle at the Supreme Court over the validity of polls that year.

The NPP argued that they had every reason to believe that the results were rigged in favour of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) candidate John Dramani Mahama.
However, by a 5-4 majority decision, the apex court ruled that President Mahama was validly elected.

There were four and three consistent judges who voted against and for the annulment of more than two million votes due to what the petitioners described as gross and widespread irregularities recorded during the election.

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California: Thirteen dead in Montecito rains and mudslides

International

Daniel Opare

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January 10, 2018

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At least 13 people are dead amid "waist-deep" mudslides in Southern California, where heavy rains triggered flooding, say officials.

Some 163 people have been taken to hospital. Twenty had "storm-related injuries" and four were critically hurt.

A group of up to 300 people are reportedly trapped in Romero Canyon, east of Santa Barbara.

Police said the scene "looked like a World War One battlefield".

The flooding and mudslides, affecting areas scorched by wildfires last month, have shut down more than 30 miles (48km) of the main coastal road.

Emergency services said a number of people were unaccounted for and they expected the number of deaths to rise.

Thousands fled the deluge and more than 50 rescues have been performed.

The hardest-hit homes were those that were not in the evacuation zone, officials say.

Heavy rain run-off caused a mudflow in the community of Montecito, where some homes were knocked off their foundations, said Santa Barbara County Fire Department spokesman Mike Eliason.

Boulders the size of small cars were rolling down hillsides and blocking roads, reports BBC News Los Angeles correspondent James Cook.

Among those taken to safety was a 14-year-old girl who had been trapped for hours in the ruins of her home.

The fire department published a picture of the girl encased in mud as she was led to safety.

County Fire Captain Dave Zaniboni said that five people were found dead on Tuesday in Montecito and may have been killed as result of the storm.

The upmarket neighbourhood includes homes owned by celebrities such as actor Rob Lowe and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres.

Oprah Winfrey also has a property in Montecito that is reportedly worth nearly $90m (£66m).

The US Coast Guard has sent "multiple airships to support rescue operations" and warned the public not to fly drones, otherwise the flights would be grounded.

Thousands of California residents were asked to leave their homes on Monday for the second time in two months.

In Burbank, where waves of mud swept away vehicles, officials issued a mandatory evacuation order.

Homeowners in the area shared photos of mud in their homes.

Several roads are closed, including the major Highway 101.

Wildfires in December, including the Thomas Fire, swept through the area burning vegetation that helps prevent flooding and landslides.

After a wildfire, burned vegetation and charred soil create a water repellent layer which blocks water absorption and leads to an increased risk of mudslides and floods.

"Recent burn areas will be especially vulnerable where dangerous mud and debris flows are possible," said the National Weather Service in a statement.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency shared a warning for California homeowners explaining that homes that had never flooded before were now at risk.

This comes after a record-setting year of $306bn (£226bn) of weather and climate-related disaster costs in the United States, the third warmest year on record, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The storm over California is expected to produce 4in to 7in (10 to 18 cm) in the foothills and 9in (23cm) in select areas.

Snow is falling at higher elevations, according to the National Weather Service.

Human rights activists pushing for gay rights are mad – Maurice Ampaw

Social

Daniel Opare

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January 9, 2018

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Outspoken lawyer, Maurice Ampaw, has described human rights activists pushing for gay rights as mad people.

Maurice Ampaw made this comment in relation to a report released by Human Rights Watch, which suggested that Ghanaians treat Gays as Second Class citizens.

In the report, Human Right Watch noted that 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.

Lawyer Maurice Ampaw speaking on Atinka Midday news Tuesday noted that society consists of two groups of people: right thinking members and those who do not think right.

According to the renowned lawyer, members of the LGBTI are not right thinking members of the community hence do not deserve to be respected or shown mercy.

“Gays and Lesbians are just like criminals, they are threats to the society and do not deserve rights enjoyed by the average Ghanaian”.;

Ghana | atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

NPA to shut down more LPG stations –Tampuli

Business

Daniel Opare

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January 9, 2018

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Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Hassan Tampuli, has reiterated the Authority’s commitment to ensure Liquefied Petroleum Gas [LPG] refill stations which fail to adhere to safety standards at their operation sites are shutdown, as it intensifies its monitoring and inspection exercise.

The Authority has in the past been accused by the public of doing little to ensure safety at the various stations, a situation suspected to be responsible for gas explosions in the past.

In October last year for example, five bystanders lost their lives after a tanker discharging gas exploded in what has become known as the Atomic Gas explosion near Madina, Accr

Though monitoring work has been ongoing before the incident, one of the indigenous stations in the country with 70 outlets across the country, said 600 LPG stations have so far been inspected across the country and are willing to finish the rest.

Mr. Tampuli, who was speaking at the rebranding of Frimps Oil, yesterday at Pokuase.

Meanwhile Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies, Kwaku Agyeman-Duah, called on the government to support local businesses to enable them expand in order to create jobs for the people.

On his part, Chief Executive Officer of Frimps Oil Rev Kwaku Frimpong assured the public of their commitment to serving them with integrity.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Agogo: Military persons transferred, no death recorded – Derick Oduro

Social

Daniel Opare

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January 9, 2018

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The Deputy Defence Minister, Derrick Oduro, has refuted claims that the military persons involved in the clash between Fulani Herdsmen have died, adding that two have been discharged from the hospital with the rest transferred to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Three military officers and a policeman were shot after an exchange of fire with Fulani herdsmen at Serebuoso in Agogo in the Ashanti Region.

According to reports they were shot from behind after responding to a distress call from a woman that her farm was being destroyed by herd of cattle. The three military officers and the policeman are members of the Operation Cowleg.

Speaking to Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive, Deputy Defence Minister, Derrick Oduro, explained that although the four persons were shot, two of the military men sustained minor injuries and have been treated and discharged.

According to the Deputy Defence Minister, the current incident will not deter the military and the police from protecting lives and properties in Agogo.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

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

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January 9, 2018

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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

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January 9, 2018

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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

International

Daniel Opare

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January 9, 2018

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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

Social

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January 9, 2018

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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.

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Video: AMA , traders clash over decongestion

Social

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January 9, 2018

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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:

let's gets interactive

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