One-Legged Driver Nabbed

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.co

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday Febraury 5, 2011.
An amputee who drives an Albion cargo truck with registration GT 3398 H has been arrested by the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service in Accra.

Hudu Abdulai was nabbed yesterday at a scrap dealers’ site in South Industrial Area following a tip-off but he tells Daily Guide that he has been driving as an amputee since 1979.

To prove to the police that he is indeed driver of the truck, Hudu exhibited his driving skills with ease to the bewilderment of police personnel and a curious crowd that gathered outside the MTTU premises where the vehicle was parked.

He said he uses the vehicle for rubbish collection in Accra and makes income out of it to look after his two wives and nine children.

Asked whether he had ever been arrested by the police, Hudu said “I do not remember the day I was stopped by a policeman. I drive with caution and always observe road traffic regulations.”

He claimed that during Non-Aligned Movement Conference hosted by Ghana in1991, he rode a bicycle from Tamale to Accra.

“I was amputated following an accident in 1979. My father bequeathed this vehicle to me and I have taken good care of it ever since.”

Asked why he did not employ a driver to work for him, Hudu said “the last time I gave the vehicle to someone he crashed it so I have decided to drive it myself.”

ACP Angwubutoge Awuni, Commander of MTTU in an interview said following the tip-off, the police arrested Hudu in the afternoon of Friday and during questioning it came to light that the suspect has been driving with expired license.

“He still uses the license that was outlawed many years ago,” adding “people with disability have specially designed cars so he is not permitted to drive the vehicle.”

He said Hudu will be arraigned before court on Monday adding “such people are a danger to the public we should assist ourselves to weed them out of the system”.

ACP Awuni also stressed the need for collaboration with all stakeholders including the public to bring sanity on the roads.

“Sometime when you arrest a vehicle you are easily able to tell that this vehicle is not in good condition yet the driver will be holding a valid road worthy certificate.”

In a related development, 20 motor bike riders popularly called Okada were arrested by the MTTU yesterday.

According to ACP Awuni, until the law banning the Okada business is repealed the police will continue to arrest all perpetrators and prosecute them saying “they want to challenge the law but we will not allow them.”

He also said the police will enforce the ban on the movement on long vehicles after 8pm and it will take effect from February 18, 2011.

He asked cargo drivers to take advantage of the grace period given them and get copies of the log book design to monitor regulate the movement of the drivers on the highways.

Mother Appeals To Mills Over Murdered Son

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Friday February 4, 2011.
The mother of a 36-year-old man, who according to a police statement, was gunned down by Abraham Kotei Neequaye, who is said to be the chairman of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), has made a passionate appeal to President Mills to order the police to re-open the case.

According to Madam Mary Tawiah Lokko, mother of the deceased, George Nii Aryitey Tetteh, she suspects that the police did not take the investigations seriously which led to the acquittal of the accused person (Neequaye) by the court.

Narrating her ordeal to DAILY GUIDE in Accra amid tears yesterday, Madam Lokko, 65, said she was at home on August 7, 2010 when at about 11 am, Neequaye personally called her on a cell phone telling her that he (Neequaye) gave the deceased bullets but was critically injured and rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

She said it was later established that her son died several hours after the incident and that the body had been prepared for the mortuary before Neequaye called her on the phone.

She said initially Neequaye was arraigned before the Adjabeng District Magistrate Court to face charges of murder but his counsel Nii Okaidja Adamafio pleaded for manslaughter for Neequaye saying “ever since the trial started the accused person and members of his family have threatened our lives. They even went to the extent of saying that the accused is wealthy and as such, they would use his wealth and social influence to secure non-guilty verdict for him.”

“After the threats, the case was unusually adjourned but we kept our faith in the system and waited patiently for the outcome. We later heard that the case was being sent to High Court for trial to commence.”

Madam Lokko said after sometime Neequaye was discharged by the Magistrate Court because the police said it could not have witnesses, adding that the police never contacted members of the family of the deceased who could have provided an insight into the matter.

She said the police substituted the charge sheet and preferred a lesser charge of “shooting without lawful authority” against Neequaye to their amazement.

“The most painful aspect of it is that the accused has since his release, never shown any form of remorse but rather throws parties and celebrates while my family and I continue to mourn and also receive taunts on daily basis.”

She said there were people around when the incident occurred but the accused and his people allegedly scared away all possible witnesses and the police know it.

Madam Lokko also said immediately the gun was fired, the Neequaye ordered that the weapon be taken away from the crime scene and also warned on-lookers not spread the news about the death, noting, “The person who was asked to take the gun away is still around and could have been used by the police to build the case.”

She accused the police of conducting one-sided investigations into the matter because there were what she termed “material witnesses that the police never contacted.”

She alleged that two days after the incident, boxing legend Azumah Nelson came to her family house, pleading for forgiveness for Neequaye and said the incident was a “mistake.”

She claimed that it was not the first time that Neequaye had been directly involved in the murder of people, explaining that “his own wife died under mysterious circumstances not too long ago and because her family is poor they could not pursue the matter and left everything to Almighty God”.

The deceased mother said two weeks before the incident she got to know that there was animosity between her son and Neequaye even though they were friends and also added that Neequaye rushed her son to the hospital without the consent of any family member and went ahead to prepare the body for mortuary before informing the family.

“He called to tell me that my son was in critical condition when he had already prepared him for mortuary yet the police ignored all this and other compelling and vital evidence.”

She said since the incident happened, the accused had made contradictory statements but the police failed to act and also claimed that the crime scene was cleared before the police came around.

“My son has left me with an eight-year-old daughter. I have no one to look up to except God and President Mills. Please come to my aid so that this case re-opens for us to know the circumstances that led to the death of my son.”

Ex-Cop Fumes Over Retirement Package

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Friday January 4, 2011.
Francis Adaboo, a retired Inspector of the Ghana Police Service is fuming following what he claims to be the inability of the Controller and Accountant-General to process his retirement package for him.

He said the delay in processing his entitlement has severely affected his standard of living, appealing to the police administration to intervene to address the problems.

He said he went on compulsory retirement in 2010 but the bureaucracy at the Accountant General’s Department has affected him and his family, which has made him a dependant.

In an interview with DAILY GUIDE in Accra yesterday, Inspector Adaboo, who served in the Police service for 38 years, said he received his compulsory retirement letter on May 29, 2010 and was directed to the Accountant General’s Department for processing of his entitlement which he quickly did.

He claimed that the police administration since June 2010 has forwarded the necessary documents for the Accountant General’s Department to work on his entitlements but nothing has been done about it.

“I have since June last year been spending so much to chase what is due me. Anytime you go to them, all they do is to tell you series of stories.”

“I am getting frustrated now. There is no money for me. I cannot pay my children’s school fees. I don’t think I deserve this kind of treatment after serving my country for 38 years.”

Another retired officer, RSM Gilbert Opoku told DAILY GUIDE that he retired a few years ago and is yet to receive his entitlements having been dilly-dallied by the Controller and Accountant General’s Department on many occasions.

“Anytime I go there they tell me that the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) is the cause of the delay. Things are hard for me,” he said.

Policemen Testify in Ex-MP Girlfriend's case

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday February 3, 2011
Two policemen yesterday testified in the case of three people standing trial for allegedly conspiring to rob J.B. Danquah Adu, Ex-MP for Abuakwa North and Deputy Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs in the erstwhile Kufuor administration.

They are Sergeant Gabriel Arthur of the Highway Patrol Unit and Corporal Alex Anikom of the Crime Scene Unit who gave evidence as the fifth and sixth prosecution witness at an Accra Fast Track High Court.

Narteley Yirenkyiwaa Nettey aka Awura Ama, 24, the ex-Minister’s estranged girlfriend is standing trial together with Charles Antwi and Nana Yaw Ampaw as the first, second and third accused persons respectively and the police say the three conspired to rob the JB at the East Legon apartment of the lady on August 26, 2010.

The three have pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy, causing harm and robbery and are still in police custody.

Led in evidence by Paul Asibi Abariga, a State Attorney, Sgt Arthur who was the first to mount the witness’ box told the court presided over by Justice Mustapha Habib Logoh that on August 26, 2010, they were on their usual patrols when a distress call from National Security asked them to proceed to East Legon at the American House area in Accra for an arrest.

“When we got to the scene we saw JB seriously wounded on the right hand and he told us that Yirenkyiwaa and Antwi had attacked him.”

He said they arrested the accused locked them up at East Legon Police Station and at the same time sent JB to the hospital before continuing with their patrol duties.

During cross examination by Kwabena Addo Attuah, counsel for the accused persons, Sgt. Arthur said he could not tell the court what actually transpired between JB and the accused person because he was not at the scene.

Counsel: So as to what actually happened between PW1 (JB) was injured you would not be in a position to say.

Witness: Yes my Lord.

Counsel: My lord that will be all for this witness.

After Sgt. Arthur testified, Corporal Anikom also took his turn and told the court that he was tasked to by Sgt. Gyan of East Legon Police to come to the station and upon reaching the station the officer together with his team and Yirenkyiwaa and Antwi visited the crime scene.

“I processed the scene by taking photographs after which I handed over the evidence gathered to Sgt. Gyan.”

He then tendered in evidence printed copies of the photographs taken and gave vivid description of the photographs.

Some of the photographs showed blood stains on the wall, windows, floor and door and captured blanket, brazier, shoe, shirt, mobile phones, two knives and a digital camera.

PW6 also testified that JB parked his Nissan Patrol with registration GT 8000 Y in the premises of Yirenkyiwaa but the pair of trousers of JB could not be found in the room.

During cross examination the witness insisted that it is not his practice to ask suspects to sign for inventory taken from that suspect.

Counsel: Have a look at the pictures you have just tendered. Is there any link between the pictures and the accused?

Witness: Yes

Counsel: The standard police procedure is that the suspects have to sign before you produce.

Witness: Everything was done in their presence. I have never taken pictures and asked suspects to sign before.

Counsel: You went into the accused room with Sgt. Gyan and one Twum Barimah to ransack her room before you sent them there.

Witness: This did not happen

Counsel: On the photographs there are no dates

Witness: It is handwritten at the back

Counsel: All photographs for investigations have dates indicating when they are printed and not handwritten and therefore could have been taken on any date.

Witness: I do not know that dates appear on the photographs. They were taken in the presence of accused persons.

Sitting continues on February 9, 2011.

AngloGold Ashanti Labeled Irresponsible ... But Refutes Allegation

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday February 3, 2011
ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI, a multinational mining company which was recently adjudged irresponsible by some two non-governmental organizations for its alleged corporate misdemeanor in Ghana, says such descriptions are nowhere near the reality on the ground.

In a press release issued in Accra on February 1, 2011, signed by John Owusu, General Manager, Public Affairs, the miner said: “We believe that AngloGold Ashanti’s nomination, in respect of its human rights abd environmental management performance in Ghana, is undeserved.

We seek to operate in these respects, and in all others, in a professional and socially and environmentally sensitive manner befitting a responsible corporate citizen. We believe that, on the whole, we do meet these goals, and are willing to be judged against them.

“Regarding the allegations related to the behavior of security personnel, we are aware of a number of allegations dating between 1995 and 2006, the last of which was very early in the life of AngloGold Ashanti’s work in Ghana. WACAM, which nominated us for this award, has confirmed that AngloGold Ashanti has interacted with them a great deal on these legacy cases, though it has been difficult to reach finality on events where there is no conclusive evidence, despite the best efforts of parties.

We take consolation that there have been no allegations of new incidents since 2006This is surely evidence that our efforts in this sphere, based on the voluntary principles on security and human rights framework, have born fruit.”


With the Public Eye Award for Irresponsible Corporate Behaviour for 2011 conferred on AngloGold Ashanti, it becomes the second multinational company in Ghana to win the award the Public Eye Award after Newmont Mining Corporation won both the Public Eye Global Award and the Public Eye Peoples’ Award for 2009 as the most irresponsible company in the world.

The Public Eye Awards mark a critical counterpoint to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland and it seeks to name and shame companied involved in corporate scandals as a result of human rights abuses, environmental degradation, and impoverishment of local communities, among others.

The criteria for the Public Eye Peoples Award is through internet voting while the Public Eye Global Award is determined by a panel of experts and in the case of the global award, the organizers receive nominations and contributions from civil society organizations and other regulatory agencies.

The awards was instituted in 2000 by Berne Declaration and Friends of the Earth (in 2009 it was replaced by Greenpeace) and it reminds the corporate world that social and environmental misdeeds have consequences for the affected people and territory as well as the reputation of the offender.

It was Wacam, an organization campaigning against irresponsible mining in Ghana that nominated Anglo Gold Ashanti.

Making a case to support the nomination of AngloGold Ashanti on January 28, 2011 in Davos, Daniel Owusu Koranteng, Executive Director of Wacam said “my country Ghana is one of the mineral endowed developing countries with significant reserves of gold, bauxite, manganese, diamond, salt among others. It is estimated that more than 30 per cent of the land surface of Ghana is covered by gold deposits. Despite the high price of mineral commodities such as gold which had pushed many multinational gold mining companies to partake in the plundering of our resources, Ghana remains a poor country.”

He said Ashanti Goldfields Company which metamorphosed into AngloGold Ashanti in 2004 and currently operates the Iduapriem and Obuasi mines are accused of gross human rights violations and environmental problems that resulted from the operations of the then Ashanti Goldfields Company(AGC) in Obuasi.

“WACAM’s investigations confirmed that some of the violations included the use of Guard Dogs to chew suspects who trespass on the company’s concession especially illegal miners popularly described as ‘Galamsey’ operators. Some of the suspects who were arrested died whilst in the custody of the private security of the company and were detained in the private detention facility operated by AGC.”

He mentioned Clement Kofi Baffoh, a 27 year old man from Aduaneyede near Obuasi who was arrested by the mine security on June 9, 2004 at 4.30 pm on the suspicion of engaging in “galamsey” activities on the mine concession and subjected to severe beatings by the mine security officers until he collapsed and died at around 9.00pm adding “The murder of Baffoh occurred after the merger of AGC and AngloGold into AngloGold Ashanti.”

Mr. Owusu-Koranteng also mentioned Awudu Mohammed who he said was shot and arrested for trespassing but was framed up by the company as an armed robber and as a result was chained in his bed at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, adding “Anthony Baidoo was shot by a soldier at AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine while James Sarpong has had his farm taken forcibly for the establishment of Rock Waste Dump by company”

“AngloGold factored the gross human rights violations and environmental problems of AGC into the due diligence process of the merger and cannot run away from being held responsible for the liabilities of AGC when it had inherited its assets.”

He said the new AngloGold Ashanti ignored the human rights and environmental problems of its predecessor by using the legacy argument and also perpetuated the human rights violations and environmental problems thus worsening the living conditions of the poor communities.

Gbevlo Boys Chase Missing Dog…To Ogbamey's House

National Security Coordinator, Lt. Col. Larry Gbevlo Lartey (rtd)
Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday February 3, 2011
National Security operatives and eight macho men identified as land guards from Chorkor, a suburb of Accra, stormed the residence of Managing Editor of the Gye Nyame Concord, Alfred Ogbamey around mid-day Sunday apparently in search of a dog said to be at the centre of a dispute between an NDC foot-soldier and an NPP-turned-NDC electrical contractor.

The two disputants over the dog which got Mr. Ogbamey involved are the NDC man called Ebo Mamprobi and NPP turned NDC electrical contractor called Bello Turkson of Kurtson Engineering whose ‘Neapolitan Mastiff breed dog’ was stolen and suspected that the NDC foot-soldier might have stolen it and given to Mr. Ogbamey because he is also a breeder.

The operation was coordinated and led by Edward Anti Ofori aka Lion Jafi, a tall lanky Rasta-haired staff of Radio Gold, who according to both police sources and Mr. Ogbamey, insisted that the National Security staff were people seconded from the Secretariat to guard the privately-owned radio station.

In an interview with Daily Guide in Accra yesterday, Mr. Ogbamey said he was relaxing after returning from church when the two operatives and some suspicious machomen came to identify themselves as operatives who have reliable information that there was a stolen dog at his residence.

“I immediately demanded to see their IDs. The leader showed me a Temporal National Security ID but would not allow me to see his details on the card. I asked whether a dog had been reported stolen. They said yes. I asked why they had not come with a police they reported and questioned them as to why there was no police with them. I then noticed the macho-men some of whom l personally knew as landguards from Chorkor”, he said.

He said he told them he was unaware that the National Security Secretariat had added dog-searching efforts to their duty and insisted he would not allow them access to his house until he was convinced of their identity


According to Ogbamey they then alleged that he had stolen a dog, created a scene and began attempting to scale the walls to his home only to be held back by his dogs.

“Apparently they had come in a Jeep and three motor bikes, one of which was unregistered. On realising they could not have access to the residence; they called for back-up. At this juncture some youth in my area as well as relatives of mine who knew some of the landguards also quickly called for back-up leading to a stand-off,” Ogbamey, who is also a noted dog breeder said.

“Realising the situation could lead to bloodshed and on recognising me some of the landguards, including one I know as Tettey Chorkor, left.

He said he left and reported the matter to the Anyaa Police saying “at the Police Station, the Radio Gold reporter contradicted my claims that the people may not be national Security operatives and insisted that they were operatives seconded to guard Radio Gold who were there based on reasonable suspicion that I had a stolen dog with me.”

The Concord Editor told Daily Guide that he does not believe the National Security Coordinator, Lt. Col. Larry Gbevlo Lartey (rtd) was aware of Sunday’s operation and called for investigations into the matter.

“AG’s Office, Ministry of Justice Inseperable”

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday February 2, 2011.
It appears the clamour to decouple or separate the Attorney General’s Department from the Ministry of Justice may not be feasible after all.

The issue of whether or not the AG’s office should be separated from the Minister of Justice was hotly debated in the run up to the 2008 general elections, with the Convention People’s Party (CPP) Presidential Candidate, Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndum pledging to separate the two offices if elected as President.

The members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the time were the most vocal and even went a step further to incorporate the issue in their manifesto for the 2008 election dubbed, “A better Ghana: Investing in people, jobs and the economy.”

On page 33 of the manifesto under sub-topic “Law and Justice”, the NDC promised to “separate the Attorney General’s Department from the Ministry of Justice to promote greater efficiency and better transparency in the administration of justice.”

Last Wednesday in Accra, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), a public policy think-tank, as part of the efforts to make inputs into the ongoing Constitutional Review process, organized a roundtable discussion on the much-talked about topic: “The decoupling of the Office of the Attorney General and that of the Minister of Justice.”

The forum was attended by distinguished lawyers and academicians with some former Attorneys General in attendance but the paper was delivered by Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, a renowned Criminologist and Lawyer.

At the forum it was glaringly obvious that all participants who got the opportunity to make contributions were against the decoupling of the two offices.

They were all of the view that instead of pushing for amendment to decouple the AG’s office and that of the Minister of Justice, the AG’s Office and other institutions such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), now Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) should rather be resourced and empowered adequately to do the job.

Prof. Attafuah, who set the tone said, “The proposed constitutional amendment to decouple the AG’s Office and that of the Minister of Justice is wholly unnecessary; it is an unnecessary but costly excursion into tinkering with the fundamental law of the land, devoid of a reasonable assurance that it will achieve what is desired. We should drop it.”

He said the issue of decoupling the two offices has dominated because of a focus of “winning prosecutions against political opponents as a class of suspected criminals and a focus on a small but highly important class of offences, namely corruption, stealing, misappropriation of public funds and willfully causing financial loss to the state.”

He noted: “The call for decoupling is essentially a response to the growing perception of politicization of prosecutions, the need to engineer our prosecution system to higher levels of efficiency and independent, and the desire to achieve more successful prosecutions, particularly of corrupt public officers and drug dealers.”

Prof. Attafuah said those clamouring for the move base their arguments on the independence of the prosecution system, anti-corruption drive and rule of law and transparency, saying if the goal of decoupling is considered highly desirable, it can be achieved without amending the Constitution.”

He said “we can achieve the goals of independence and efficiency if the AG delegates his prosecutorial powers through a simple Act of Parliament to an independent public prosecutor. The independent prosecutor can mount all prosecutions on behalf of the AG but without the daily superintendence of the AG.”

During an open forum moderated by former Attorney General Joe Ghartey, Ebo Barton-Oduro, the current Deputy Attorney General said even with an independent prosecutorial service, the nation can still have problems and cited the South African example to buttress his point.

Nii Ayikoi Otoo, a former Attorney General said “there is no need for anybody to add what we already have. We may put it in our manifesto but the reality on the ground is that it would not work.”

Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah, another former Attorney General traced the historical background of the position of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, disclosing that “in terms of practice a Minister in Article 88 of the Constitution means a Minister of Justice.”

Professor Nii Ashie Kotey, a former Acting Director of the Ghana Law School said “there is nothing to do with decoupling the office of the Minister of Justice from the Office of the AG. If we are not careful we will offend Article 88.”

Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, a lawyer and gender activist said “we need strong prosecutorial system to work for majority of Ghanaians. A strong, independent and well-resourced AG’s Department would bring hope to everybody.”

Gloria Akuffo, a former Deputy AG said the dualization of the position has consistently been rejected by previous systems saying “taking the prosecutorial powers of the AG cannot be the issue. We should rather strengthen anti-corruption and other related institutions that already exist.”

Gertrude Aikins, the current Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) bemoaned the undue politicization of the AG’s Department, noting, “There is too much interference. They should allow the technocrats to do their work.”

Kwame Jantuah, a leading member of the CPP, said there is no political will to ensure that anti-corruption institutions are strengthened to become effective.

Justice VCRAC Crabbe, an eminent jurist, observed that there are several provisions in the constitution that have not been completely exhausted in addressing the issue.

Ya Na Trial Resumes

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday Febraury 1, 2011.
Fifteen men standing trail for the murder of Ya Na Yakubu Andani II, overlord of Dagbon in March 2002, have finally filed a written ‘Submission of no case’ application to have the case discontinued for lack of evidence against them.

It was confirmed by Phillip Addison, lead counsel for the accused who said it was filed on January 25, 2011 instead of the agreed date of January 10, 2011 and subsequently apologized to the court profusely for the defense inability to file the application on time.

He explained to the court that the volumes of documents available for review made it impossible to file the application on the agreed date.

Ms. Gertrude Aikins, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) prosecuting then asked the court for extension of time to enable the prosecution to file their application opposing the ‘Submission of no case’ application of the defense.

The court presided over by Justice E.K. Ayebi of the Court of Appeal then asked the prosecution to file a reply to the defense’ application by February 21, 2011 and adjourned proceedings until February 24, 2011.

The rules of the court are that on the adjourned date, defense counsel is expected to seek leave of the court to file additional affidavit in response to any issue that would be raised by the prosecution after which the court will fix a definite date for ruling on the matter.

Defense counsel declared their intention to file ‘Submission of no case’ when after failing on three occasions to present more witnesses the prosecution officially closed its case on November 5, 2010 and the court granted the request and asked them to file it by November 23, 2011.

However, just as the motion for “Submission of No Case” was to be moved, the prosecution on November 18, 2010 filed “an application to re-open its case and tender recording through witness.”

The affidavit, claimed the sixth accused person in the case, Alhassan Braimah is said to have been recorded by one Moses Nsor, an ex-security officer, confessing that he (Braimah) killed the Ya Na.

As a result there was a long argument as to whether or not the prosecution should allowed to re-open the case to adduce additional evidence but the court on December 17, 2010 threw out the prosecution’s application saying they were in possession of the very evidence they are seeking to adduce but failed to bring it before closing its case.

In a related development, Mohamadu Abdulai aka Samasama, the fourth accused person was not in court yesterday.

A police escort officer told the court that Samasama is currently on admission at the Police Hospital in Accra and added that the fourth accused person was admitted last Friday.

The judge asked the police to bring a hospital report to the court to prove that Samasama is indeed on admission.

All the other accused persons, except Zakaria Yakubu aka Zakaria Forest, the seventh suspect who is currently at large, were in court.

They have all pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and with Forest (A7) facing an additional charge of murder.

They are currently on remand in police custody except Iddrisu Iddi aka Mbadugu due to old age.

Those on trial are Iddrisu Iddi aka Mbadugu, Alhaji Baba Abdulai Iddrisu aka Zohe, Kwame Alhassan aka Achiri, Mohamadu Abdulai aka Samasama, Sayibu Mohammed, Alhassan Braimah and Alhaji Mohammed Habib Tijani, 45, former DCE of Yendi as second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth accused persons respectively.

The rest are Baba Ibrahim aka Baba Zey, Alhassan Mohammed aka Mohammed Cheampon, Mohammed Mustapha, Shani Imoro, Yakubu Yusif aka Leftee and Hammed Abukari Yussif and Abdul Razak Yussif aka Nyaa as 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th accused persons respectively.

Since the commencement of the trial, scores of police officers with riot control equipment including weapons have been patrolling the court premises to deter supporters of both Abudu and Andani Gates from physically settling scores.

Theresa Tagoe Joins Ancestors

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday January 1, 2011
Hundreds of people from all walks of life, particularly members of New Patriotic Party (NPP), at the weekend thronged the Dansoman Keep Fit in Accra to pay their last respect to Theresa Amarley Tagoe, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma South.

Notable among the mourners was the flagbearer of the party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who paid glowing tribute to the former NPP MP for her contribution towards the development of both the party and country.

Before the funeral, a service was held at the Ebenezer Society of Methodist Church at Dansoman where Nana Akufo-Addo, who was downcast, described the late Ms. Tagoe as “dynamic and uncompromising.”

He said the late MP worked tirelessly to help strengthen the party at the grassroots level, especially in Parliament, adding that as one of the four women pioneers to enter the House on the ticket of the NPP, the late Ms. Tagoe’s contributions will never go unnoticed.

“The party’s women’s wing, which is growing from strength to strength, owes Theresa Tagoe, its founder, an immense debt of gratitude… Our party and country have lost a great servant of freedom,” he said.

Apart from the NPP flagbearer, other party bigwigs such as the NPP Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey and the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Ocquaye also mounted the podium to eulogize the late Mrs. Tagoe.

The late Theresa Amarley Tagoe was born in Apedwa in the Eastern Region near Kyebi to Teacher James Tagoe and Madam Janet Oponmaa Bempong on December 13, 1943.

Her father passed away when she was only six years old, which forced her paternal grandmother, popularly called Abeley Kooko, to bring her down to Accra to start school at Bishop’s Girls School.

She continued to Krobo Girls and obtained her Ordinary Level Certificate and then proceeded to Aburi Girls School where she obtained Advanced Level Certificate.

She proceeded to the University of Ghana, Legon and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, History and Sociology.

Between 1970 and 1980, the late MP worked with three different agencies; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations Economic Development and Planning Institute (IDEP), Senegal, and Agricultural Development Bank, ending up as Assistant Director to the Director of Research.

Her Parliamentary career began in 1996 when she was elected as an MP for Ablekuma South in the Greater Accra Region and won two subsequent elections to retain the seat until she decided not to contest in 2008, which coincidentally led the NPP to concede that seat to Fritz Baffuor of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

She served as Deputy Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, Deputy Minister of Works and Housing and Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister during the previous Kufuor administration.

Ms. Tagoe was also the proprietress of Agence D’or Secretarial Institute, one of the leading and prestigious bilingual secretarial schools in Ghana.

Affectionately called T.T, the resilient and gravelly-voiced former legislator, whose political valor captured nationwide attention, was a career politician and her interest in politics dates back to her days at Aburi Girls Secondary School, one of Ghana’s well known female educational institutions.

She was best known for her nonchalant, no nonsense attitude which sometimes rubbed people in her own party.

Her claim to fame can be traced back to December 1999 where she led protests against perceived government inaction over the murder of countless women in the Greater Accra Region under the watch of former President Rawlings.

Ms. Tagoe will be remembered as a tough-talking parliamentarian and women’s right advocate who was courageous.

Many Ghanaians will also miss her atypical mixture of English, Ga and Twi during interviews and parliamentary proceedings. Though colloquial it became her signature tune which was exciting, endearing and mortifying all at the same time.

During her vetting in Parliament in 2001, she told the vetting committee that “yes I like talking. Sometimes I get out and sit on my steps and just talk to people passing. Through talking I become dynamic.” Her hobbies included reading, dancing and talking.

Mrs. Tagoe passed away on Thursday, November 25, 2010 after a protracted illness. Her remains were laid to rest at Akyem Hemang.

India High Commission Marks 62nd Indece

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday January 1, 2011.
The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana Mrs. Ruchi Ghanashyam has underscored the need for the media to persist using its powerful influence to shape the process of democracy and development.

“A responsive and responsible media is an asset in maintaining the vitality of democracy and its institutions…By highlighting issues and actions the media can inspire others to follow good examples, and I would urge it to work in positive spirit, as it expands its reach and coverage.”

The High Commissioner was reading the Indian President’s address in Accra at a flag raising ceremony to mark her country’s 62 Independence Anniversary from Great Britain.

Mrs. Ghanashyam said Indian culture encourages the quest for knowledge and truth, living in harmony with each other and nature, as well as oneness of the human race adding “these ideas provided inspiration for our freedom and after our independence found a ready resonance in our Constitution.”

She said the strength of a nation is not determined by the challenges it faces, but by its responses to these challenges, especially so when it stands at a critical juncture and at a decisive point saying “what we do in this coming decade in terms of leveraging our advantages and addressing our shortcomings, will shape the destiny of the nation.”

The High Commissioner said the Indian government is committed to eradication of poverty, empowerment of women, access to quality education and affordable health facilities which she said are essential for building human resource and added that “the readiness of the people to work with dedication and integrity can make an enormously positive impact.”

She said the person of India’s resolve to hold on to democracy is bringing about prosperity saying “among our remarkable accomplishments has been an unwavering adherence to democracy.”

“As a nation, our aim is to grow and to create a just society. Our goal of poverty eradication and of inclusive growth that embraces the disadvantaged and marginalized sections of society can be achieved when our actions are guided by a social conscience and are not devoid of sensitivity.”

The High Commissioner further said delivery systems for schemes and programmes that promote the welfare of the people and spur economic growth should have inbuilt mechanisms for greater transparency and accountability.

She said the Indian government is committed to greater regional stability towards world peace and expressed concern about the menace of terrorism saying “terrorism poses the single most detrimental threat to the progress of humankind.”

“There is a crucial need for concerted action by all members of the international community to eradicate the threat of terrorism.”

The High Commissioner said as India assumes its seat as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council; it will intensify efforts to effect concerted and collective global action against terrorism, and will also work “with a deep sense of responsibility on all global issues.”

Give NMC authority to allocate frequencies

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday January 31, 2011.
Dr. Audrey Gadzekpo, a Senior Lecturer at the School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana says it will be in the interest of the nation to allow the National Media Commission (NMC) to authorize allocation of broadcast frequencies to media houses rather than the current situation where the National Communications Authority (NCA) is responsible for the authorization.

Dr Gadzekpo said if that is done it would become obligatory for the NMC to effectively monitor content in the media and also motivate the commission to initiate action against errant media houses.

She was speaking at a public forum in Accra on Thursday organize by the National Constitutional Reform Coalition (NCRC) under the auspices of Center for Democratic Development (CDD) to gather information on possible amendment of media laws for the ongoing Constitutional Review exercise.

Speaking on the topic: “The 1992 Constitution and the media: Challenges and opportunities for reform”, the media lecturer said “the NMC wants to authorize allocation of frequencies. This must be encouraged because it is preferable to the NMC issuing out the licenses.”

She said the NMC has not been able to live up to its mandate because it is in dire need of funds and also does not have the power to issue licenses for media houses for which it could generate revenue to be able to become very effective adding “we need amendment of the law to position the commission to be strong.”

Dr. Gadzekpo also said the current situation where the President appoints some members of the NMC goes against the intentions to make the commission independent.

She also said it will be dangerous to adopt a proposal by government to select the Chairman of the NMC since if it is considered; the independence of the commission would be under threat saying “there is no need to review such vital areas of the laws on media.”

She identified the lack of respect for constitutional provisions by both state and non-state actors and the media; laws running counter to the constitution as some of the impediments in the effort towards the development of media freedom in the country.

Dr. Gadzekpo also said the current draft defamation bill is inconsistent with the provisions of media freedom and added that the absence of freedom of information and broadcasting laws are impeding the effort to develop the frontiers of media freedom.

Egbert Faibille Jnr, Editor-in-Chief of The Ghanaian Observer who was the discussant for the forum said the constitutional provisions relating to the media “are just enough for us but there is the need for a little more expansion. We need to clearly establish the boundaries in the constitutional provisions.”

He said in most cases ruling governments have sought to use the tax authorities to intimidate media owners especially when those owners do not share the views of the government but said “however we are yet to see a media owner jailed for such offences.”

He called for peer review among media houses to ensure sanity in the media landscape.

Professor Kwame Karikari, Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) who chaired the forum said intimidation of media by state institutions especially the security agencies does not encourage and promote effective media freedom.

He however said the media needs “a measure of self examination” and do away with unprofessionalism, adding “if we continue to be recalcitrant it will be difficult for us to convince those who want laws of the media tightened.”

Freak Accident at Paloma

The Nima MTTU Commander, Agnes Ceasar inspecting the accident at the scene.

Posyed on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday January 26, 2011
About 14 people, including a driver and his mate sustained various degrees of injuries when a 207 Benz bus with registration AS 3047 Y got involved in a freak accident.

There bizarre accident occurred at Paloma on the Ring Road in Accra yesterday at about 7:20 am. The vehicle was heading towards the Ako Adjei Interchange from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle with passengers.

It was very clear that the driver was rushing to pick up passengers at a nearby bus stop and in the process lost control of the vehicle which somersaulted before landing in the median.

But for a telephone pole which saved the situation, the vehicle could have ended up at the opposing lanes.

According to an eyewitness, the driver was using the outer lane in front of Bus Stop Restaurant and Night Club, but rushed to the nearby bus to pick up passengers without caution.

When DAILY GUIDE got to the scene, the vehicle was turned upside down and the police were busily making attempts to clear the place as it was causing heavy vehicular traffic.

The Nima Police, led by its Motto Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU) Commander, ASP Agnes Ceasar responded quickly to distress call and within 30 minutes of the accident they were on hand to tow the vehicle away to ensure free flow of traffic.

ASP Ceasar noted that she followed the victims who were taken to the Police Hospital, adding that she witnessed the treatment of 14 of them.
She said some of the victims sustained quiet serious injuries while others were minimal.

ASP Ceasar said another accident, which occurred near the 37 Military Hospital involving an articulated truck, had been reported to her.
She said all the accidents are currently under investigations.

Naadu’s $48,000 Watch Sparks Controversy

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday January 22, 2010.
President John Evans Atta Mills’s administration is making frantic, albeit confused, attempts to clear the air on the $48,000 Backes and Strauss expensive gold watch presented as a gift to Michelle Obama, wife of President Barack Obama of the United States, when the couple visited Ghana in July 2009.

A citation accompanying the gold watch encrusted with diamonds, which was described as a one-off piece from the Regent Collection Backes and Strauss, was stated in a release from London, dated September 16, 2009, as follows:

“On Saturday 11th July, Mrs. Ernestina Mills, the First Lady of Ghana, presented the First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, with The Star of Ghana to commemorate and celebrate the first visit to the Republic of Ghana by the President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama and the First Lady.”

However, the Castle is not taking kindly to the news which dropped on the laptops of Ghanaians last Thursday, jolting citizens of the West African country.

A news release issued in Accra and signed by Koku Anyidoho, Director of Communications at the Presidency on Thursday evening to settle the matter, raised more questions than answers.

“Without any equivocation, the gift was handed over, neither on the orders, nor with the knowledge of Mrs. Naadu Mills,” he said at a follow-up press conference at the Castle, Osu yesterday.

He said although “all kinds of gifts were presented” during the Obama family visit, the President’s wife did not present a $48000 gold and diamond watch to the Obamas as presented by the American media.

“The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, did NOT present Mrs. Michelle Obama with a Backes & Strauss wristwatch valued at $48,000, when President Barrack Obama and his wife paid a state visit to Ghana in the second week of July 2009.

“One such gift is the said Backes & Strauss wristwatch which was presented to Mrs. Obama on behalf of Ghana by B&S And Africa Watch Trading Co Ltd (representatives of B&S in Ghana),” he added.

On a visit to the website of Backes and Strauss, (www.backesandstrauss.com), DAILY GUIDE discovered on the home page, a boldly displayed headline, “Michelle Obama is presented with the Star of Ghana” followed by “Backes and Strauss were commissioned to craft this unique piece from our Regent collection for presentation to the First Lady of the United States from the Republic of Ghana during the Obama family’s visit there this summer.”

It went on: “Backes & Strauss London, in association with The Africa Watch Trading Co Ltd. and on behalf of the Republic of Ghana proudly presents The Star of Ghana, a unique and one off piece from their Regent Collection.

“As Masters of diamonds since 1789, Backes & Strauss, the world’s oldest diamond company craft and create exclusive watches, combining art and science, light and time. The flag of the Republic of Ghana sits proud on the dial, being the first to adopt Pan African colours.”

The Star is known as the Lode Star of African freedom, reflecting Ghana’s principles of freedom and justice, equity and free education for all. There is the “Grande Date” at 12 O’clock with a Moon Phase Mechanism at 4 O’clock included in the flag of the Republic of Ghana.

According to the firm, the watch was crafted in 18kt rose gold in size 4047mm, with 3 rows of ideal cut diamonds, 288 in total on the case weighing 2.35 carats, and the Backes and Strauss signature “Jewel in the Crown”, a .09 carat ideal cut round diamond hand set into the crown, adding, “Gold and diamonds also candidly reflect two of the major resources of the Republic of Ghana.”

Just as the issue was becoming clearer, the US Embassy in Ghana jumped into the fray, complicating matters further.

Information Officer at the Embassy, Ben East confirmed to Citi FM that the 18-karat gold Backes & Strauss wristwatch was given to Michelle Obama when she accompanied President Obama on his first visit to Ghana in July 2009 but claimed it did not come from the Government of Ghana.

Mr. East could however not disclose the giver of the gift but categorically denied it came from the Government of Ghana or Ghana’s First Lady.

He told Citi FM the source of the gift could only be disclosed after the US Federal Register had corrected an error committed in registering it.

Apart from the $48,000 watch, Mrs. Naadu Mills also presented six pieces of Kente cloth and two glass beads jewelry sets, each consisting of a necklace, earrings and two bracelets worth $615.

According to Federal Register of the National Archives and Records Administration Volume 76 Number 11, published on January 18, 2011, President Mills also presented a 31 by 47-inch portrait of President Obama with an American flag valued at $700. All these items had been deposited to the archives.

As at press time yesterday, enough pressure had been mounted on the company Backes and Strauss as they promised to issue a formal statement over the weekend to deny that the Ghana First Lady gave the expensive gift to the most powerful family in the world.

Naadu's $48,000 Gold Watch To Obama's Wife

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Friday January 21, 2011
At a time when her husband, President John Evans Atta Mills is preaching against profligate expenditure and ostentation lifestlye, his wife Ernestina Naadu Mills was competing with the King of oil-rich Saudi Arabia to dish out an expensive gift worth $48,000 to Michelle Obama, wife of President Barack Obama of the United States of America.

The information about the gifts was published in the White House Federal Register and quickly hit all major news outlets across the world.

According to sources at the White House the gift worth $48,000 equivalent to GH¢ 72, 449.8 was a Backes and Strauss watch designed with the Black Star of Ghana and crafted in 18 karat gold with the strap encrusted in “diamonds and leather” when President Obama and his family made a historic visit to Ghana in July 2009.

However report monitored on Joy FM at press time claimed that Mills handlers have denied the media report about the lavish gold gift that has landed in US archives.

According to unnamed Castles sources quoted by Joy FM, the gold watch did not come from Mrs. Naadu Mills, but rather it was a present by Bits and Straws and the African Watch Trading Company on behalf of Ghana.

However analysts were of the opinion that how can foreign firm make a presentation on behalf of Ghana if there was no benefit assigned.

The report from the US capital, Washington stated that in his first year as US President, Barack Obama, his family and administration members were showered with more than $300,000 in gifts from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.

The Federal Register reported Tuesday that King Abdullah gave some $34,500 worth of presents to Obama, some $146, 200 worth to First Lady Michelle Obama and $ 7,275 worth to their children Malia and Sasha.

The monarch offered a total of $108,245 worth of gifts to White House staff, presents valued at $23,400 dollars to a senior US diplomatic interpreter and gifts estimated at $12,000 to the US charge d'Affaires in Riyadh, Saudi capiatal.

Among the gifts Obama received from Abdullah were a "large desert scene on a green veined marble base featuring figurines of gold palm trees and camels" and a large brass and glass clock by Jaeger-LeCoultre, according to the register.

The Saudi King gave the First Lady a ruby and diamond jewelry set worth $132,000 as well as a pearl necklace with a value of $14,200, according to the register.

Their children also received jewelry worth thousands of dollars in addition to books and DVDs.

Second in value to the generous gifts showered on the Obamas by a foreign dignitary was Ghana’s Ernestina Naadu Mills, $48,000 gift to Michelle Obama a Backes and Strauss "Black Star of Ghana" watch, "crafted in 18 karat gold with diamonds and leather," the register said.

Other ‘poorer’ presidents such as China’s Hu Jintao gave Obama "a framed and matted fine silk embroidery depicting a portrait study of the First Family" valued at $20,000, according to the register.

Miyuki Hatoyama, wife of then Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of Japan, gave Michelle Obama a pearl necklace valued at $9,700.

Obama got a bronze statue of a girl releasing a flock of doves valued at 8,000 dollars from Israeli President Shimon Peres.

While Ghanaians are wondering what happened to the traditional Kente stole and cloth it is recalled that since the Mills administration came to power it has been lavishing generously on foreign countries and dignitaries.

On January 24, 2010, the government through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni presented $3 million and other relief items to the government of Haiti when earthquake disaster struck in January 12, 2010 bringing that country to its knees.

No appreciation came to the Ghanaian people for show of magnanimity.

However, some critics are of the view that the First Lady made wrong move because the Obama family in their view did not need such expensive gifts as they are already well-to-do and the United States, the richest country in the world frowns on and legally bars any US government official from receiving a present from a foreign government.

Naadu’s $48,000 gift will be sent to the National Archives.

President Obama and others accepted the gifts because "non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to donor and US government," according to the register.

Chief Fire Officer Spills beans

Albert Brown Gaisie, Acting Chief Fire Officer.

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Friday January 21, 2011
The inability of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to respond to emergency situations especially fire outbreaks is mostly due to the uncooperative attitude of the utility service providers.

According to the Acting Chief Fire Officer, Albert Brown Gaisie the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and Electricity Corporation of Ghana will have to “deepen their commitment” if fire outbreaks and other emergency situations are to be tackled effectively and swiftly.

At a forum at the GNFS Headquarters in Accra yesterday to discuss the factors impeding emergency response delivery and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, the Fire boss said “we are committed to mounting swift emergency response but if our collaborators are do not step up their efforts it becomes difficult for the country.”

Interestingly, the GNFS confirmed that it invited the utility service providers to be part of the forum but none of them sent a representative.

Mr. Gaisie said 114 out of the 302 fire hydrants within the Accra –Tema area alone are unserviceable and said it has restricted their effort to respond to emergency situations swiftly.

“People have built on hydrants while others have destroyed it. Even in places where water can be found the pressure is sometime very low, making our men struggle so much to draw water to fight fires.”

He dispelled rumours that some personnel of the service trade the water meant for fire firefighting saying “there may be miscreants among us but we do not condone such acts. We always initiate action against any personnel who brings the name of the service into disrepute.”

“It is not our intention to apportion blame but if other agencies do not collaborate effectively it brings serious operational problems for us. We are emphasizing collaboration because anytime there is fire outbreak and we do not respond on time the public tend to blame us.”

Turning to the ECG, the Fire boss said “we have had problems with transformer fires, overhead and underground cables as well as power isolation in times of emergency.”

He said there have been several instances when fire fighters got stranded at fire scenes because the ECG had not been able to switch off power saying “no organization should suffer because of the inefficiencies of others.”

Mr. Gaisie also said the service needs the intervention of various District Assemblies to be able to enforce fire safety laws and impressed on the assemblies to make sure the country’s markets have the necessary measures to prevent fire outbreaks.

“We cannot take certain actions without recourse to our partners like the GWCL, ECG and the assemblies.”

He also called on the telecommunication service providers to assist the service with improved communication equipment saying “you should help the public to have easy access to us by providing better service in times of emergency.”

He said whilst ensuring personal safety and security the public should not mount barricades that makes it impossible for personnel to reach them anytime there is fire outbreak saying “people should not fortify themselves so that anytime there is disaster they can have easy exit.”

He said the equipment for fighting fire may not be adequate but the government is trying its best to procure more for them and added “we are currently repairing a lot of our tenders and other vehicles to step up our operations.”

The Fire chief was not happy about the lack of adherence to basic fire safety rules by the industrial sector which he said was the result of frequent fire outbreaks especially in industrial areas and said they sometimes keep flammable chemicals is stores where there are no ventilation.

He said the service is working a out a strategy to ensure that fire safety law are strictly enforce and would seek the assistance of the Attorney-General and the police to arrest and prosecute factory owners and others who refuse to adhere to safety rules.

Recently in Oda in the Eastern region firemen were ridiculed when they seen using buckets to fight fire.

Six container shops at the Oda Market in the Birim Central Municipal Assembly, were engulfed in flames, destroying property estimated at GH¢60,000.

Personnel of the Fire Service used buckets and other small containers to fight the inferno, due to lack of fire tenders, causing amusement among onlookers.

The Birim Wood Complex Limited provided water tankers to the GNFS before the fire was brought under control.

Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Ransford Ababio, in charge of the municipality told the Ghana News Agency that the fire at the market followed another disaster at the Finance Block of the assembly at about 0500 hours on January 13, when the building went up in flames destroying a number of items.

He said the cause of disasters were under investigations.
Isaac Kwasi Boadu, owner of an agro-chemical shop that was affected by the fire said he had lost all his goods.

Muslim youth fight over Hajj Committee

Musah Ali (middle), General Secretary of MYAPH addressing the media. With him are Nuhu Khalid (right) and Alhaji Abdul Hamid Baba (left).

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday January 20, 2011
In their bid to defend the Hajj Committee, a group calling itself Muslims Youth against the Politicization of Hajj (MYAPH) yesterday made mockery of themselves when they tried to question the right of another group, Muslim Youth for Change (MYC) that raised allegations of mismanagement against members of committee.

MYAPH organized a news conference at Kwesi Pratt’s Freedom Centre at Kokomlemle, Accra to lambast the MYC for threatening to hit the streets to demonstrate against the Hajj Committee over allegations of mismanagement.

However, had a torrid time explaining to media personnel why they should hold a news conference on the subject matter when members of the committee who were directly accused by MYC are capable of defending themselves.

In the end, all they could say is “we are not here to defend the Hajj Committee. However, we do not want anybody to use the name or office of His Eminence National Chief Imam as shield to launch sporadic on hard earned reputation of the members of Hajj Committee. We are going to fiercely resist any attempt to malign and incite Muslim Youth against them.”

They said they are fighting undue politicization of the organization of Hajj yet they ended making statements reminiscent of politicians making political statements on campaign platforms.

Speaking on behalf of MYAPH, Musah Ali, its General Secretary of said “all of us can bear testimony of the smooth and peaceful manner in which the 2009/2010 was organized but for the court injunction by the detractors of the Hajj Committee one would not even have noted that pilgrimage was ongoing.”

He said “as things turned out to be, Allah the almighty did not allow them to succeed so they are now changing their tactics,” adding “it is not true that those who could not be airlifted to Mecca in 2010 were 600 as it is being speculated but rather 356. The committee was able to airlift 2,144 pilgrims which constitute 85 per cent.”

Musah Ali said the current committee has been able to organize the best ever Hajj in the history of the country adding “one cannot simply understand why the success story of the 2009/2010 Hajj organization has become the headache of some individuals who are even alleged to be taking steps to mobilize and instigate some innocent youth to go on the streets.”

“Muslims in Ghana have seen the good work of the 2009/2010 Hajj Committee and shall fiercely resist any attempt by any group that tries to malign and incite some of our Muslim youth against them.”

MYAPH called on the National Chief Imam to warn those using his name and office for their selfish interest to desist from the act or as they put it “be prepared to face the concequences.”

Ex-MP was naked – Witness

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday January 19, 2011
The fourth prosecution witness (PW4) in the case of three people standing trial for allegedly conspiring to rob J.B. Danquah Adu, Ex-MP for Abuakwa North and Deputy Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs in the erstwhile Kufuor administration yesterday told an Accra Fast Track High Court that when he saw the former legislator he was not wearing anything except his boxer shorts.

The witness, Cyrus Antoh, a tanker owner told the court presided over by Justice Mustapha Habib Logoh: “JB was not wearing anything. He only had his boxers. I asked about his clothes and he said the second accused person and another had forcibly removed his clothes during a struggle and also stabbed him.”

Narteley Yirenkyiwaa Nettey aka Awura Ama, 24, the ex-Minister’s estranged girlfriend is standing trial together with Charles Antwi and Nana Yaw Ampaw as the first, second and third accused persons respectively and the police say the three conspired to rob the JB at the East Legon apartment of the lady on August 26, 2010.

The three have pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy, causing harm and robbery and are still in police custody.

Led in evidence by Paul Asibi Abariga, a State Attorney, PW4 told the court that on August 26, 2010 he was driving home when he saw PW2 and PW3 struggling with Antwi in front of the house where the incident occurred so he parked and made enquiries.

“When I enquired, they told me that it was armed robbery and that someone had been killed upstairs”, adding “just as A2 (Antwi) was about to speak, A1 (Yirenkyiwaa) came to the scene and shouted at A2 not to say anything and rather asked us to arrest JB.”

He claimed that JB followed Yirenkyiwaa downstairs but was bleeding profusely so he removed his shirt to tie the wound for him.

“I then sat him down to find out what had happened and he told me that A2 and A3 forcibly removed his clothes containing some money and also wounded.”

He said the police after sometime came to the scene and took over the matter and he went home, changed and visited JB in the hospital but the ex-MP could not speak to him because he was sleeping.

During cross-examination by Kwabena Addo Attuah, counsel for Yirenkyiwaa, PW4 insisted that JB told him it was Antwi and Ampong who forcibly removed his clothes despite JB’s own earlier evidence that “A1 (Yirenkyiwaa) unzipped me.”

Counsel: You told this court in your evidence-in-chief that PW1 (JB) told you his clothes have forcibly been taken away from him

Witness: Yes my Lord

Counsel: was it the same person that you claimed told you who had been killed

Witness: Those I came to assist told me that somebody had been killed upstairs.

Counsel: Was it the same man that came downstairs in a pair of boxer shorts.

Witness: Yes.

Counsel: Did he resurrect.

Witness: Yes…but the explanation is that he was actually killed.

Counsel: Are you aware that he (JB) testified in this court.

Witness: I know he gave evidence

Counsel: Are you aware he told this court that his clothes were not forcibly taken away from him

Witness: He told me the accused persons collected his clothes so if he comes here and did not say it then that is up to him.

Counsel: I suggest to you that nobody took his clothes off

Witness: What PW1 (JB) told me is what I have told the court.

Counsel: You told this court that PW1 (JB) was bleeding profusely.

Witness: Yes…my shirt even got soaked.

Counsel: Did he collapse

Witness: He did not but was weak

Counsel: So that when you said when you got to the hospital he had collapsed was a lie.

Witness: I could not speak to him.

Counsel: You were not there when the injury occurred

Witness: I was not there. I met them at the roadside.

When C.K. Mintah, counsel for Antwi and Ampaw took his turn, the witness told the court that he enquired from JB what had happened to him when he tied the ex-MP’s wounds for him.

Counsel: When you enquired about what had happened to A1 what did he say.

Witness: He said those people forced his clothes off him and cut his hand.

Counsel: were those who inflicted the wound around?

Witness: A2 (Antwi) was there.

Counsel: Did you ask for the reason?

Witness: No.

Sitting continues on February 2, 2011.

I didn’t see Ex-MP robbed

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday January 18, 2011
The caretaker of the house where three persons including the estranged girlfriend of JB Danquah Adu, Ex-MP for Abuakwa North and Deputy Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs under the erstwhile Kufuor administration allegedly attempted to rob the former legislator says he is not in a position to tell what really transpired in the room where the incident happened.

Emmanuel Kwame Okaompah Amoako, testifying as the third prosecution witness (PW3) on Friday told the Accra Fast Track High Court trying the case “I am not in a position to know what happened between Mr. JB and the accused persons because I was not in the room.”

Narteley Yirenkyiwaa Nettey aka Awura Ama, 24, the ex-Minister’s estranged girlfriend is standing trial together with Charles Antwi and Nana Yaw Ampaw; the police say the three conspired to rob the JB at the East Legon apartment of the lady on August 26, 2010.

The three have pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy, causing harm and robbery and are still in police custody.

Led in evidence by Paul Asibi Abariga, a State Attorney, Amoako who says he is a steel bender told the court presided over by Justice Mustapha Habib Logoh that on August 26, 2010 between 9:30 and 10pm he heard somebody screaming for help and quickly rushed upstairs only to find Narteley’s window opened.

He said together with the security man (PW2) he knocked on the door and Ampaw (A3) came out with clothes hanging on his shoulder and when he enquired from him, he (A3) said “they are killing somebody in the room,” and descended the staircase.

“We were afraid to enter the room and as we stood there, Antwi (A2) also came out and said some people are fighting in the room and had blood stains in his shirt,” PW3 told the court.

He said he asked the security man to escort Antwi downstairs whilst he tried to enter the room but when he did; he hurriedly came out and descended the stairs because the security man had shouted for him to come down and help apprehend Antwi who was trying to run away.

Amoako told the court that when Antwi was overpowered and brought to the main gate of the house, a neighbour called Kwadwo Cyrus came around to help them and JB then came down, followed by Narteley.

He claimed when the police came around Narteley tried to go upstairs to lock her room but a policeman ordered her to allow the security man (PW2) to do it.

During cross-examination by Kwabena Addo Attuah, PW3 insisted that he entered the room where the incident occurred but the inmates did not see him.

Counsel: You never entered the room where the shouts were coming from

Witness: I entered but could not get to where they were.

Counsel: I suggest to you that you never entered the room

Witness: I entered but because I could not get to where they were they did not see me.

Counsel: I am still suggesting to you that you did not enter the room.

Witness: I can say it is not true because nobody saw me.

Counsel: You are not in a position to know what went on in the room.

Witness: Yes, because I was not there.

Counsel: You said when A3 was coming out of the room he was holding some clothes

Witness: Yes

Counsel: Was he naked

Witness: He was wearing jeans with white singlet.

Counsel: Describe what he was holding

Witness: I saw a black dress

Counsel: Tell the court the kind of black dress

Witness: He had folded it

Counsel: Could it have been his own shirt.

Witness: I cannot tell.

Counsel: Your story that A3 was holding a dress is a lie

Witness: That is not correct

Counsel: It was A1 herself who went to lock her room and not PW2

Witness: It was PW2

Sitting continues on today, January 18, 2011.

Arik Air Expands Operation

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday Janaury 18, 2011
Arik Air Limited, a privately owned Nigerian commercial airline, says it is committed to setting new standards in the aviation industry on the African continent.

As a result, the owner of Arik Air has invested over 130 million dollars to ensure that the company becomes a preferred airliner on the continent.

At a media briefing in Accra over the weekend, the Communications Directorate of the airline said Arik Air started modestly but has now grown to become the largest commercial airline carrier in Nigeria in less than a decade.

According to the Communication Directorate, following the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, Arik Air Chairman, Sir Arumemi-Ikhide bought a hawker jet aircraft, which was being used to serve business people in the Nigerian oil industry but soon became a hot cake.

According to them, Arik Air acquired assets of the defunct Nigeria Airways and transformed the assets into state-of-the-art facility before officially inaugurating the airline within seven months after the acquisition.

It then went on to inaugurate Arik Air International in London in 2007 to develop worldwide routes to ensure that Arik Air “delivers truly global airline with world class standards.”

The Communication Directorate said on December 15, 2008, Arik Air successfully launched its first long haul flight between Lagos and Heathrow, London, flying daily with a newly acquired Airbus A340-500.

“The aircraft offers 36 premier class and 201 economy class seats. Premier class passengers enjoy super flat beds equipped with 17-inch monitors and a new generation in-built massage system. It also has a communal area which comprises a bar lounge, sofas and a seat-free space for socializing. In fact, the aircraft offers the highest degree of operational flexibility and unmatched passenger comfort.”

According to the directorate, Arik Air in 2009, commenced operations in Africa, first from Lagos to Johannesburg in South Africa and then the West African sub-region including Freetown Sierra Leone, Dakar Senegal, Banjul the Gambia, Coutonou Benin and now Accra, Ghana.

It said it is also operating a non-stop three times a week shuttle between Lagos and New York in partnership with Hi Fly Transportes Aeros S.A. of Portugal and have also launched non-stop services between London Heathrow and Abuja.

“Arik Air has also obtained traffic rights to many other international destinations across the globe including Houston, Beijing, Paris and Sao Paulo and this is the beginning of our international expansion.”

“Additional brand new aircraft joined the growing fleet which now stands at 26 aircraft. By September 2010, Arik Air had successfully flown over five million passengers in a network of 27 domestic, regional and international destinations.”

The directorate said Arik Air has already obtained International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) certification from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Amina ‘Brother’ chained

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Friday January 14, 2011
Michael Frimpong aka ‘Amina Brother’, the young man who claimed to be on the Yutong
Bus on which the alleged mass rape of passengers occurred, has now been sent to the Nsawam Maximum Security Prisons after a court remanded him.

At the prisons, he fell ill on the night of January 7, 2011 and was rushed to the infirmary at the Nsawam Prisons but because he was in a critical condition, he was transferred to the Nsawam General Hospital, where he is said to have been chained to a bed.

According to sources at the hospital, as soon as he was brought in, he was chained to the bed to prevent him from running away.

“I can confirm that a young man was brought here in the company of Prison officers at the weekend. They chained him and when I enquired from him he said he was the one who was arrested for saying that he was on the Amina bus,” a source told DAILY GUIDE.

DAILY GUIDE investigations revealed that although Frimpong was whisked to an Accra Circuit Court on January 7, 2011 without the knowledge of his counsel, he was granted a GH¢ 5000 bail with two sureties.

The police then sent him straight to the Nsawam Prisons from the Police Headquarters in Accra without any attempt to contact Frimpong’s counsel or any of his family members to bail him.

Andy Appiah-Kubi, counsel for Frimpong told DAILY GUIDE in a telephone interview yesterday that he was not aware his client had been sent to court where he was charged with one count of deceit of public officer.

Until he made a second appearance on December 22, last year, Frimpong was kept at the Teshie Police Station but was transferred to the Cantonments Police cell where he spent four days.

He was then brought to the Police Headquarters in Accra for two days before being sent to court but immediately after the proceedings, he was whisked away to the Nsawam Prisons.

Frimpong was picked up on November 17, 2010 after granting an interview to Great FM, an Achimota-based private radio station where he gave descriptions about what he claimed happened on October 11, 2010, in what is now known as the ‘Amina Bus Rape’ case.

Frimpong made his first appearance before the court on November 23, 2010 where he was remanded into police custody.

Just as the dust was settling on the Amina mass bus rape matter which resonated throughout the country, teasing many minds as to its veracity given also the politicization of the subject, Frimpong, a resident of Kumasi, granted an interview to Great FM claiming he was on board the bus with registration GN 623-10 where the alleged incident took place.

He gave a vivid description of the incident and appeared to have corroborated the story told by Amina Mohammed, the lady who first broke the news about the mass bus rape; but the police continue to maintain that the story is a hoax.

Amina is currently on trial at an Accra Circuit Court.