NPP ‘CAPOS’ DEPORTED…FAMILY CRIES FOUL IN SOUTH AFRICA

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

The three South African ex-police officers who made the headlines last week following their arrest by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) were deported to their home country yesterday in a manner that is seen as contemptuous of the court of law.

The three—Major Ahmed Shaik HAZIS (rtd), known as Chris, aged 55 years, W. O.  Denver Dwayne NAIDU (rtd), aged 39 years, and Cpt Mlungiseleli  JOKANI (rtd), aged 45 years—were still kept by the BNI for more than one week after their arrest, in spite of a court order to release them, before they were eventually bundled unto a South African Airways flight SA 210 for Johannesburg at about 09:30 hours.

Mercenary Activities

Even though the security agencies had purportedly leaked a report to pro-government media houses indicating that they (ex-security capos) were in the country to engage in mercenary activities, the same agencies ended up charging the foreigners with conspiracy to commit crime, unlawful training and false declaration.

They were arrested for training the security detail of the flagbearer and the vice presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Captain Edmund Koda (rtd), head of the security detail of the NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Captain Kwesi Acquah (rtd), the owner of El-Capitano Hotel at Agona Duakwa in the Central Region where the three ex-police officers lodged, were also arrested and detained by the BNI but were released on Monday.

Additionally, on the eve of Good Friday, operatives of the BNI allegedly raided the offices of the Danquah Institute (DI), a think-tank aligned to the NPP.

An online report claimed the security outfit had denied being involved in the raid which also targeted the office of a deputy director of communication of the NPP, Perry Kwabla Okudzeto, as well as the residence of Capt Koda (rtd) at Weija, Accra.

STL & Election Results

Interior Minister Prosper D.K. Bani, in a statement following the arrest, had said that one of the South Africans called Hazis had in his possession “a comprehensive report on the operations of Superlock Technologies Limited (STL) and an assessment of some key staff’s vulnerability for possible compromise was retrieved from Hazis’ room.” He also added that “STL is the company contracted by the Electoral Commission (EC) to transmit tallied election results.”

Mr Bani had said further that “Hazis denied authoring the document but indicated that it was given to him by Dani Isaaca, an Israeli based in South Africa. Hazis claimed he had not read the document which had been in his possession for about three (3) weeks. During interrogation it was evident that he was conversant with the content of the document.”

Curiously, when this issue about election results transmission emerged in the heat of the disputed 2012 presidential election, both the EC and the NDC government denied categorically that it was STL that did the transmission on behalf of the commission.

Atta Akyea Incensed

Atta Akyea, NPP MP for Abuakwa South, who was part of the legal team that represented the South Africans in court, confirmed the news about the deportation and said the government revoked their visas eventually.

He hit hard at the Ministry of the Interior for ignoring the lawlessness of the BNI after it had detained the three South African nationals, despite the fact that a court had granted them bail.

He described the statement from the minister that also tried to run down Captain Koda as "very shameful" because it also failed to touch on the action of the BNI. That he considered disrespectful to the courts and again described the explanation for the continuous detention of the three men as a “dubious and devious explanation.”

 “If a man is on bail, he can always report to the authority,” the incensed MP told Joy FM, adding, “If a man is on bail and you arrest him, it amounts to lawlessness.”

 According to him, the government had demonstrated through the recent behaviour of its officials that it was impossible to have “a clear understanding of the law with the executive power.”

Stealing Manifesto Ideas

One staunch NPP supporter cynically remarked to DAILY GUIDE that the NDC government was behind the alleged BNI raid in order to get manifesto tips from the opposition party since he claimed the ruling party had a penchant for ‘stealing’ manifesto ideas from the opposition.

“Dou you remember how President Mahama and his team shamelessly stole our free SHS idea after bastardising it?” he asked and added, “Look at how they have taken our ‘transforming lives, transforming Ghana’ slogan we used in 2012 without shame. Even on this one, the NDC mocked us in 2012.

“They have hit the end of the road. They don’t have ideas to run this country and so all they want to do is to intimidate the NPP but we shall never be suppressed. We shall continue to let the public know that the NPP can lead this country into prosperity. Everybody knows change is coming.”

Immigration Statement

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) later confirmed the deportation of the South Africans in a statement and said they concealed the purpose for which they entered Ghana to the authorities.

Signed by Felix Yaw Sarpong, Director of GIS, the statement said the service found out that the three South Africans had admitted at the BNI that “they were engaged by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to come to the country and conduct training for fifteen (15) bodyguards from the party in VIP security drills.”

Arrival Of The Three

“Hazis Shaik was first to arrive in Ghana. He came on board a South African Airlines plane [Flt No. SA 52] at about 9:40 pm on 5/03/16 on a Republic of South Africa passport number M00052092. He indicated on his disembarkation card that Movenpick Hotel, Accra, was his contact address in Ghana,” the statement said.

“The two other individuals invited by McDan Shipping Ltd arrived in Ghana around 10:15 pm on 14/03/16 on South African Airlines (Flt No. SA 209) and were both travelling on Republic of South Africa passport numbers M00096231 and A05213410 respectively. They both indicated on their disembarkation cards that Alisa Hotel, Accra, was their contact address in Ghana.”

According to the GIS, Hazis was identified by the other two as their leader and had indicated in his statement that he was engaged to provide VIP protection training to the security officers of the leader of the opposition party in Ghana, the NPP, but the service said, “This statement does not conform with the purpose of their invitation.”

The GIS said it was established that it was McDan Shipping Ltd and the Danquah Institute that had invited them but the invitees were not security companies, adding, “On the face of the documentation examined, it was clear that the three individuals were not sure of who actually invited them,” and “the NPP as a legal entity did not invite the three South Africans to Ghana and there is no documentation to contradict this fact.”

 “It is the view of the GIS that the training exercise conducted by the three at the El-Capitano Hotel in the Central Region to a group that did not invite them is clearly a confirmation of the attempt to conceal the motive for their visit and is therefore a breach of Section 52(1) (e) and (i) of the Immigration Act 2000 (Act 573).”

“Their act is also a breach of the conditions precedent for the issuance of visas as contained in the instructions on Form B (Reg.3 (4) of the Immigration Regulation 2001 (LI 1691).”

Deportee Sister Mad 

A sister of one of the three South African ex-police officers who were detained in Ghana is insisting that her brother, Major Ahmed Shaik Hazis (rtd), is not a criminal. In an exclusive interview with Citi News, Nimala Abboy said she was outraged about the treatment meted out to her brother and his colleagues.

She said, “My brother has his own security company and does security, VIP protection and bodyguarding and that is what he does for a living.”

She added that her family members were outraged by “the way they [his brother and the two others] were treated and we didn’t understand the charges that were brought against them but we just rejoiced that they are on their way home and we are just happy that there was no real case against them.”

She was thankful to the NPP “for standing by them and for the group of attorneys that represented them (in court). We are very grateful and thankful for their support.”   

CAPTAIN KODA'S LAWYER FIRES INTERIOR MINISTER

Posted on: http://dailyguideafrica.com/captain-kodas-lawyer-fires-interior-minister/

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Lawyer for Captain Edmund Kojo Koda (rtd), head of the security detail of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has lambasted the Minister of the Interior, Prosper D.K. Bani, for making false statements about his client.

Nana Asante Bediatuo, lawyer for Captain Koda, said in a statement yesterday, “This is not the kind of conduct expected from a minister of the interior. We are surprised that a high ranking member of government would lend himself to being used for this kind of propaganda.”

According to the lawyer, Mr. Bani in a statement he signed following the arrests of the three South Africans who were deported yesterday, had made false declarations about Captain Koda who was also detained by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) during the investigations into the training of security details of the NPP leaders.

1979 Revolution

Mr. Bani has claimed that Captain Koda was once jailed in the heat of the 1979 ‘revolution’ by the AFRC for embezzlement of funds and was also involved in the activities of Serbian nationals who were brought into the country to train selected people drawn from across the country in the art of civil insurrection in 2014.

However, Nana Asante Bediatuo described the statements as false and said, “In the era when the Mahama Government continues to justify the unjustifiable, and our security agencies blatantly flout an order of the court, we are not surprised that a minister, who is mandated to ensure internal security, as well as the maintenance of law and order in the country, would also join the fray and spew palpable falsehoods in the bid to link the NPP and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to violence.”

False Statement

According to the lawyer, Captain Koda was never jailed for embezzlement as claimed by Mr. Bani.

“Yes, Captain Edmund Koda was involved in the uprising of June 4, 1979, which brought the AFRC regime into power. He was a member of the pre-trial investigation team. He and other members of the team were accused of having embezzled funds and were tried twice on the same charges by the ‘People’s Court’. 

On both occasions, Captain Koda was acquitted and discharged. He was, however, imprisoned in the Ussher Fort Prison. Indeed, the chairman of the AFRC, Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings, demanded their release in November 1979, a request which was refused by the Liman government. Captain Koda and his other colleagues, eventually broke jail and sought political asylum in the United Kingdom.”

Francois Commission

He added that “The Francois Commission, headed by Appeal Court Judge, Justice Francois, was set up to investigate the jail break. At the hearings of the Commission, Squadron Leader Dagbe, the President of the People’s Court, admitted that Captain Koda had been acquitted and discharged at the trial on the charges of “embezzlement”. Captain Koda has never been convicted of corruption as is being claimed by the Minister of Interior. Refer to Francois Commission report which is available at the Supreme Court Library. Perhaps, it is equally unsurprising that a simple check of official records to confirm basic facts is also fraught with incompetence.”

2014 Insurrection

On the 2014 alleged insurrection, Nana Asante Bediatuo said, “This is the most ludicrous of all the statements made by the Interior Minister. For the avoidance of doubt, Captain Koda did not meet any Serbian in 2014 or any other time, let alone engage the services of Serbian nationals, or any other persons, to train Ghanaians in the art of ‘civil insurrection,’ which is a treasonable offence.

“The only Serbian Captain Koda knows is the former coach of the Black Stars. Is it not curious that Captain Koda, since 2014, has been walking a free man and has not been invited for questioning by National Security or the BNI on this serious charge? Is the minister saying that our country’s security would allow a man who has attempted to destabilize the country walk free? Indeed, Captain Koda was in the custody of the BNI. Why was he not charged or questioned on this Serbian issue? Why did he only learn of this matter from the minister’s statement?” 

NDC Gov’t Obsession 

“Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised. The Mahama government is obsessed with trying to tag the NPP, and, indeed, Nana Akufo-Addo, with violence, with no shred of evidence. Indeed, the terrorists and mercenaries who this government claimed had been imported by the NPP, have been deported during the pendency of the case and without being subjected to trial,” the legal gem noted.

ORACLE OPENS GHANA OFFICE

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Technology giant Oracle has opened its new African regional operations office in Accra with a resolve to deepen its commitment towards innovation, leadership and excellence on the continent.

The office, located in the plush Stanbic Heights at Airport City, is expected to pursue its cloud portfolio expansion and provide quality consulting services to clients in the sub-region.

Paul Taylor, Commercial Attache at the Unites States Embassy, Accra, who represented the US Ambassador at the ceremony, said Africa’s economy is expanding at a faster rate and the need to invest on the continent was growing.

He said Ghana has a vast business potential and must be harnessed to the benefit of the people.

Mr Taylor reiterated the US government’s commitment to deepening trade ties on the continent.

He also said technological advancement has become the mainstay of almost every economy and Africa cannot afford to be left out on the new order.

Mr Taylor commended Oracle highly for opening offices in Africa, saying “the innovation that Oracle brings is exciting.”

Cherian Varghese, Oracle’s Cluster Leader for Sub Saharan Africa, said the opening of the new regional facility showed the growth of Oracle’s business in Ghana.

He said that Oracle, apart from the its business growth, had undertaken a number of training programmes for educators and learners in Ghana, saying “we are investing heavily in Ghana because we believe in the potential path it is taking.”

“Oracle Ghana understands the importance of personal engagement with its customers and partners, and the new office affords the company the opportunity to strengthen those relationships even further,” he said.

Joseph Asumang, Country Manager of Oracle, said the company had invested $39 billion in research alone since 2004.

“Our technology is built on open industry standards and one way that Oracle’s engineers drive innovation is by participating in more than a hundred standards-setting organizations.”

He added that “our customers are using information technology as a powerful tool. They are saving money, they are delivering services that were not possible before and they are finding very smart ways to bring their products to the market.”

Patricia Dovi-Sampson, Head of Research, Statistics and Information Management at the Ministry of Communications, who represented the sector minister, said government was committed to improving ICT infrastructure.

Ms Dovi-Sampson also said it was promoting collaboration with the private sector in the area of capacity-building.

She said the government was proud to be associated with Oracle’s initiatives in the country.

MDU EXPOSED VLTC OVER FERRY ACCIDENT

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Maritime Dockworkers Union of the Trades Union Congress (MDU) says it can confirm that leakages on the ferry called Nana Besemuna, which belongs to the Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC), caused the recent accident.

According to the union, management is trying to create the impression that the accident of February 17, 2016 involving Nana Besemuna occurred due to overloading.

A statement issued by MDU accused the management of VLTC compromising safety measures, which almost resulted in the sinking of Nana Besemuna.

“On 17^th February, 2016, Nana Besemuna, which is one of the ferries belonging to the Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC), was involved in a near sinking accident whilst travelling from Makango to Yeji. The ferry was carrying about 100 passengers, one articulated truck loaded with logs; two DAF trucks carrying yams and dry cassava, a KIA truck which was carrying yams, four private cars and a crew of eight.”

“When the accident occurred, there were media reports that overloading of the ferry was the cause of the accident. Contrary to the reports that overloading of the ferry was the cause of the accident, our union is aware that leakages on the ferry had been reported to the Marine and Operations Manager of the company and the management of the company had adequate knowledge that there were leakages on the Nana Besemuna Ferry for about a year before the accident.”

According to the union, a team of  welders from the Maintenance  Department of VLTC that was working to plug the leakages on the ferry were ordered by the Managing Director of the company to stop the repair works on the ferry though he was adequately informed of the seriousness of the leakages on the deck of the ferry. 

“Despite numerous complaints, Nana Besemuna Ferry has been operating without a water pump for more than a year which compelled the captain of the ferry to use a private pump on the vessel at his own cost because the management of the company had refused to pay for the cost of operating the water pump. The water pump was very useful in saving the ferry from sinking.”

The MDU called for investigations into the accident in order to identify the causes for appropriate measures to be taken to prevent such accidents in future and to apply appropriate sanctions against people, whose actions and inactions contributed to the incident.

They also commended the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Salaga, Luke Manu, Ghana Navy, officials of NADMO, Awugyakope Community, Salaga District Police for helping in rescue efforts.

I WON’T VOTE FOR AKUFO-ADDO – AFOKO

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday,March 24, 2016

Suspended national chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Afoko, has ruled out voting for the party’s flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in the November 7 presidential election.

“I am not sure I will vote for Nana Addo. My vote is my secret; it’s up to me and my God whom I will vote for,” he told UTV, an Accra-based private television station, yesterday.

Mr Afoko is currently fighting a legal battle with the party in court, challenging his suspension as unconstitutional; but at the same time, the embattled chairman has been granting interviews to some selected media houses virtually running down the party he purports to be a leading member.

Within this week alone Afoko - whose brother, Gregory Afoko, is on trial for allegedly killing the Upper East Regional chairman of the NPP, Adams Mahama - has embarked on a media hype, appearing on not less than three television stations and a number of radio stations, in a desperate effort to paint the NPP leadership black and make it unattractive. 

 

He started the round of interview on Metro TV, moved to GBC24 television before the UTV encounter yesterday where he stated emphatically that he did not see himself campaigning for the NPP presidential candidate.

“It will be very difficult to join Nana Addo’s campaign. I can’t do that,” he stressed.

He said he is still the chairman of the NPP. “NPP is in my blood,”  he claimed, but made a contradictory statement that neither he nor Kwabena Agyepong (suspended general secretary) would campaign for the party.

“What is going on at the party’s head office won’t allow me to join his (Nana Akufo-Addo’s) campaign. And I know Kwabena Agyepong will do same. We can’t risk our lives,” he said.

He said it was Nana Akufo-Addo who spearheaded his ‘unconstitutional’ suspension in the party.

He claimed that he had a roadmap that was to win the election for the NPP in November saying, “If I had not been suspended and my plan for power had been followed, I would have been able to confidently give you an answer that we can win the election…even the NDC, looking at our activities, would know that they had already lost. I can’t say definitely that we will win the election.

 “What disturbs me more as the chairman of the NPP is the way some leaders are being suspended and sacked from the party just because they shared a separate view on an issue discussed. Indeed, this behaviour by some party executives to me is like ‘madness’.

“I will continue to be the chairman of the NPP until the over 5,200 people who voted me as chairman of the party on 13th April, 2014 at Tamale again vote me out of power.

“Problems in the NPP as at now still hold unsolved and would continue to be so until executives of the party work in line with the party’s constitution."

He said he does not get close to Nana Akufo-Addo, asserting, “I don’t go to his house anymore. What am I going to do there? We are not friends; I don’t call him.”

WAMPAH FLEXES MUSCLES OVER COCAINE LORD IN-LAW

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Henry Kofi Wampah, says there is no reason for him to resign his position following the arrest of a British narcotics drugs baron, David McDermott, who is married to his daughter.

He called the bluff of those calling for his resignation and said he had already made up his mind to see out the rest of his contract at the Central Bank.

When journalists took the opportunity at the Monetary Planning Committee Meeting in Accra on Monday to find out about the Governor’s intentions following the arrest of the fugitive son-in-law, he said  “My son-in-law is my son-in-law; it has nothing to do with me being Governor of the Central Bank.”

He added, “I have made a statement on that and that should be enough for you. My term will end this year and I will let you know when I’m going so thank you.”

Dr Wampah, in a news release recently, confirmed that David McDermott is married to his stepdaughter, Ramona Wampah, and sources say they live in the plush Bruma Hills, Accra and that the fugitive has been in Ghana for about three years.

The British drug lord is linked to a £71 million cocaine deal in the UK before running to Ghana for safety, marrying Ramona Sunu who later adopted Wampah’s name. Ramona’s father is still alive, DAILY GUIDE has learnt.

There are reports that the 42-year-old British of Ormskirk, West Lancashire, who is on the wanted list of the United Kingdom authorities, entered Ghana with a fake Ghanaian passport under the name, David Smith, until he was finally arrested on March 11.

Dr Wampah also confirmed that the fugitive has been working in the mining sector since he arrived in Ghana.

"David McDermott has been known to me as a worker in the mining sector and has been living in the country with Ramona since their marriage some three years ago. Until I received information about his arrest, I had absolutely no knowledge about David being a fugitive of the British government,” even though the fugitive has been on the British wanted list for about two years.

Open System

Some security analysts have wondered what immigration status allowed the fugitive to work in the mining sector and what background checks were done prior to granting that immigration status.

They also raised issues about how the wanted fugitive was able to secure a Ghanaian passport and travelled to Ghana and how the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) could not do a thorough check on the background of a white man holding a Ghanaian passport.

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said on its website that “McDermott is suspected of being a member of a Liverpool-based organised crime group involved in a conspiracy to import and supply cocaine which was seized from a container of frozen Argentinian beef in May 2013 at Tilbury Docks. He is also wanted for conspiracy to blackmail.”

The process that will lead to the extradition of the fugitive has commenced but his lawyer, Victor Kojogah Adawudu, a leading member of the ruling NDC team of lawyers, appears not to be happy and has criticised the security agencies for trampling on the fugitive’s rights.

He did not understand why the security agencies prevented him from meeting his client, three days after the arrest, telling Joy FM that “Ghana is a country of laws so good governance and respect for human rights should be the hallmark."

He claimed the fugitive was sent to the court without what he called “the necessary legal representation,” insisting, “he has been incommunicado” and adding, “This Kangaroo mentality” by state prosecutors must stop.

"It is so sad. Due process must be followed," he stated and confirmed that the fugitive’s wife was pregnant and needed to have access to him.

KAWSEC HONOURS FOUNDING MEMBER

An old student presents a plaque to P.J. Moss

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

A founding member of Nkawkaw Senior High School (KAWSEC) in the Eastern Region, Reverend Peter John Moss has been honoured by the Old Students Association of the school.

The colourful ceremony, held in Accra last Thursday, was in recognition of the tremendous contributions of British reverend minister to the development of the school in its formative years in 1969 after it was changed from Nkawkaw Methodist Training College.

According to the old students, P.J. Moss, as they affectionately call him, arrived in Ghana in 1969 at the age of 28 with a strong passion to develop education in Ghana to nurture future leaders.

Welcoming Rev Moss, who is currently a priest of the Anglican Church in the United Kingdom (UK), Daniel Owusu -Koranteng, Chairman of the association said, “It is an honour to have P.J. Moss back. He impacted our lives some four decades ago.”

He said “he gave us quality education and accepted us the way we were. P.J. Moss was everything to us.”

“He was a teacher, organist, counselor, school secretary and everything. They built us up when society had almost forgotten about us.”

Mr. Owusu-Koranteng, who is the General Secretary of Maritime Dockworkers Union (MDU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) said “we have unsung heroes who played critical roles in the education of many people who would have ended up on the streets. We have to celebrate people who develop our human capital.”

Dr. Robert Forson, current headmaster of the school, said the school’s population had grown considerably but it lacks the needed infrastructure.

“Our water system is very poor. Students struggle to get water. We have only three boreholes, one of which has been taken over by the surrounding community,” he said, adding “there are problems with our furniture due to their excessive use and we use the same dining hall for every school activity.

“We virtually do not have a vehicle since all of them have almost broken down,” he added.

He urged past students of the school to link up in order to sustain the alumni and continuously protect the interest of the school.

A citation on the plaque presented to P.J. Moss read: “He inculcated in us qualities of integrity, hard work and excellence which have distinguished us in our public and private endeavours.”

“The sacrifice of Rev. Moss has developed us into very useful citizens who are making positive contributions to nation-building in many areas.

“We dedicate our eventual success in many fields of endeavour to the strong foundation in education and the moral values which Rev. Moss sacrificed to build for us.”

BIG OAK FALLS ! JAKE IS DEAD

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday, March 19, 2016

The death is reported of Jacob Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, affectionately known as Jake, former National Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), in far away London, the United Kingdom.

Smooth-talking Jake, who died in the early hours of yesterday (Palm Sunday) after what a family source said was a short illness, was 70 years old.

News about his death has sent shockwaves throughout the country, particularly among members of the NPP, which leader, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, described it as a tragedy and big loss.

Jake was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment in a South African hospital before moving to London for recuperation and review. At that time there were wild rumours about his death before close friends and aides repelled the unfounded claims.

NPP Confirmation

The NPP, through its acting General Secretary, John Boadu, issued a statement yesterday to confirm Jake’s death, describing him as “a true son of the nation.”

The statement indicated, “The New Patriotic Party regrets to announce the passing to glory of its former national chairman, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey, who led the party to victory in the 2000 and 2004 general election as Campaign Manager, died in London this dawn.”

It continued, “Mr Obetsebi Lamptey did not only serve his party selflessly and diligently, but also helped in nation building.  He was a Chief of Staff and former Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations in the cabinet of President John Kufuor.

“Indeed, a true son of the nation and great member of the elephant family has passed on. A great pillar has fallen.  As we mourn this great man of our party and country, we request that all party flags - national, regional, constituency and polling stations offices - fly at half mast.  Any other arrangements will be communicated to the general public in due course. We extend our deepest condolences to the family.”

Nana Sad

Tributes have been pouring in for the late Jake, with Nana Akufo-Addo leading the pack.

 “I am deeply saddened and distraught by the news of the death of my lifelong friend, Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, which sad event occurred in the early hours of today, Palm Sunday, March 20, in London in the United Kingdom,” he said.

He said Jake was “a friend of long standing” whose death “brings up so many emotions – grief, sense of loss, reflections on friendship, the stark reality of mortality and the presence of the Living God.”

Growing Up Together

Nana Akufo-Addo said, “Indeed, Jake and I grew up together and forged a close friendship in our childhood, very similar to that which our fathers shared, which led to the significant roles they both played in the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), the movement that initiated the struggle for Ghana’s freedom and independence.

“They were both members of the legendary Big Six of Ghanaian history. The UGCC is the mother party of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The ties between us were considerable.”

Elephant Family

He said, “Colleagues in the NPP government will readily attest to the dedication and selflessness with which he served Mother Ghana. His love for the party and desire to see the NPP regain power resulted in his election in 2010 as National Chairman of the NPP, but lost his bid for re-election in 2014.”

The NPP flagbearer said Jake undoubtedly made an immense contribution to the NPP and the country, adding, “A proud Ga, he was an honest, patriotic and distinguished son of Ghana, whose loyalty to Ghana was unalloyed and who never wavered in his adherence to the values and principles of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition, which was, for him, the noblest tradition in Ghanaian politics.”

He described him as a tolerant and responsible person “who made many friendships across the political divide of our country.”

Nana Addo recalled, “A gregarious and fun-loving man, with an exceptional sense of humour, I will miss him immensely. I am confident all true devotees of the NPP and well-meaning Ghanaians will miss him too. A man with strong family values, I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to his dear wife Esther and their children.”

Jake’s daughter recently got married to Nana Akufo-Addo’s nephew to strengthen the bond of relationship between the two old pals. Unfortunately, Jake was not available to witness the joyous occasion as he was receiving treatment in South Africa at the time.

Bawumia Sad

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Nana Addo’s running mate, expressed sadness about the passing away of the NPP guru, saying, “Jake was a good man. He was most supportive of me – providing invaluable counsel always. I will always cherish the relationship I developed with him.”

NDC’s Message

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, on behalf of his party, said Jake’s death had hit the NDC very hard.

“The sad news of the passing away of Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey has hit the National Democratic Congress (NDC) very hard in the heart and we send out our heartfelt condolences to the immediate and extended families of the late former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).  We also commiserate with the NPP in this moment of grief.” 

The statement added, “In all honesty, contemporary Ghanaian political history cannot be written without the mention of Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey; and we pray the Good Lord finds a peaceful resting place for his soul.”

NPP Big Tree

Jake is a founding member of the NPP and was the Chairman of the Publicity Committee of the party in its formative years in 1992, and later became the Greater Accra Regional Chairman.

He served as Campaign Manager for then candidate John Agyekum Kufuor and executed a perfect strategy that made the NPP win the highly contested 2000 general election.

He was one of the first appointees of President Kufuor when he was given the position of Minister for Presidential Affairs and Chief of Staff (2001), followed by Minister for Information (2002) and then subsequently as Minister for Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City (2002-2005).

He was again, in 2004, appointed Campaign Manager by President Kufuor who was seeking a second term in office and successfully delivered victory for the NPP.

Jake was one of the 17 aspirants who contested for the NPP presidential slot to take over from exiting President Kufuor in 2008 - a contest won by Nana Akufo-Addo.

In 2010, he contested and won the race to become the NPP National Chairman in Kumasi but lost the bid to retain the position in 2014 in Tamale.

History

As an advertising expert who once led the powerful AP Lintas, Jake had a rich political history.

His late father, Emmanuel Odarkwei Obetsebi-Lamptey, was one of the revered ‘Big Six’ who led the fight against British colonialism.

Jake was one of the petitioners who challenged the validity of the election of President John Mahama in the 2013 landmark presidential election petition. 

DUMSOR COMING BACK?

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday, March 19, 2016

From all indications, the power crisis known in local parlance as dumsor that rocked the nation for close to four years might return in a couple of weeks.

This follows an announcement by Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) – the body mandated to transmit electricity - that the Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel (FPSO) Kwame Nkrumah was shutting down for maintenance works.

The situation, according to GRIDCo, is going to affect power supply stability.

A news release issued yesterday and signed by William Amuna, Chief Executive of GRIDCo said the shutdown of the FPSO started yesterday, March 20 and was expected to last for “about two weeks.”

The release said gas flow from the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant to the Aboadze Thermal enclave had been curtailed and expected to commence upon the resumption of production from the FPSO.

According to the release, “gas flow from the West Africa Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) has suddenly reduced to only 6.0mmscf from the contracted volume of  120.0mmscf arising from vandalism on some pipelines in Nigeria.”

It said that engineers following the development had commenced the process of converting what they called “all dual fuel thermal plants to run on Light Crude Oil to resolve the challenge.”

The statement said “the conversion process which involves cleaning of fuel nozzles and other preparatory works is expected to take a few days to complete,” adding “during this period, the power supply system may experience some challenges, thereby affecting power supply stability.

GRIDCo assured the public that engineers were working around the clock to bring supply to normalcy.

EYE FOR EYE: JB KILLER MUST DIE! SAYS RAWLINGS

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Incensed by the rising trend of gruesome murders in the country, former President Jerry John Rawlings has proposed revisiting the Mosaic law whereby whoever kills by the sword must also die by the sword.

A worried Rawlings said killings, including that of Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North in the Eastern Region, call for the strict application of the death penalty to serve as a deterrent to would-be murderers.

A 20-year-old mobile phone dealer at Madina Zongo Junction, Daniel Asiedu, has been arrested in connection with the murder of the MP.

Daniel Asiedu, aka Sexy Don Don, has been charged at an Accra district court for allegedly murdering the MP.

However, the people he named initially as his accomplices, in the persons of Avenger and Junior Agoogo, have still not been arrested.

Mr Rawlings said applying the death penalty rule which has not been enforced for many years could help reduce the unnecessary killings in the country.

The ex-military ruler’s comment is likely to meet strong opposition from human rights activists who have virtually succeeded in pushing for the end to death penalties.

Former President Rawlings made the suggestion when the family of JB Danquah-Adu, who was brutally murdered in his Shiashie, East Legon home in Accra recently, paid a courtesy call on him to inform him about the funeral arrangements.

“Because we have refused to exact the ultimate punishment, the police will arrest, the courts will sentence but the situation (spate of murders) will continue to rise,” the ex-president complained.

“We cannot sit here in the security of our circumstances while others remain vulnerable. I feel very disappointed about this. It will continue if we do not put the fear of God into them. If America can have that power at the level of the State, why not us?” he wondered.

He urged Parliament to consider the need to amend the 1992 Constitution so that regional security councils will have the power to approve the execution of convicts sentenced under the capital punishment rule.

His wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who was also in the meeting, said there are a lot of crimes of similar magnitude which have not been investigated to their logical conclusions.

She called on the security agencies to step up their game as she said the wave of murders was frightening. “We need to investigate all the murders so they do not recur.

“Why are they happening? We need to feel that we are secure in our individual homes. The investigating authorities owe it to not only the family, but also to Ghanaians to explain exactly what is happening,” she added.

Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, their daughter who is fighting a legal battle at the court of law over her election as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Klottey Korle, said the news of JB’s death “shook everyone.”

She said there should be no delay in investigating the MP’s murder and similar unresolved ones.

 “A crime of this nature must not be allowed to fade away. The truth must be uncovered to give closure not only for the family, but also for the whole country,” she underscored.

Frank Adu Jnr, a banker and elder brother of the deceased MP, said “We miss our departed JB dearly. He was like a pied piper catering for many of his constituents.”

He was concerned about the level of poverty and unemployment in society and said it was important that government gave hope to the ordinary people.

 “If as a government does not give hope, then these young boys and girls without hope commit some of the crimes we see today. They are easily swayed, easily convinced just to feed themselves and like any other animal backed into a corner, will fight. We have to blame the governance that we have and the politics that we have. We have to deal with this social problem, social upheaval of inequality, etc, taking place,” he observed.

A member of the family, Opanin George Amoah, expressed disquiet about the failure of the police to communicate adequately with the family on the status of their investigations, and sought the former president’s support in calling for openness from the investigating authority.

“We are a family in pain. What we expect is not what we have seen. As things stand now the police have gone mute. We are careful not to mix politics with a criminal case and have stopped short of making any statements, but justice delayed is justice denied. The police have a responsibility to let us know where the investigations are headed. This is a heinous crime and we demand justice from the authorities,” Opanin Amoah charged.

He stated, “We are urging the authorities to speed up investigations into the matter. The axe of justice must fall. We need to know the truth. It will soothe us.”