Controversial Bus Branding: AG Submits Report

Citi News sources at the Presidency indicate that the Attorney General has submitted her report to the Chief of Staff on the controversial GHC3.6 million expended on re-branding the 116 Buses. Government’s decision to spend some GHC3.6 million on re-branding the buses angered many Ghanaians, with the majority questioning how that outrageous expenditure could be approved under the watch of the President. Following the backlash that government received from the public the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah hurriedly ordered an investigation into the contract. Mr Debrah directed the Attorney General “to review the contract and associated payment(s).” A letter to the Attorney General dated December 17, 2015 asked her to revert to the Chief of Staff with her findings by close of day December 22. It is however not clear as to the exact findings of the AG, but the sources at the Presidency say the Flagstaff House intends to act strongly on the report. While some advertisers have pointed out that government massively overpaid for the re-branding others have suggested that the state could have generated Ghc500,000 monthly if it had allowed the buses to be re-branded with commercial advertisement. Meanwhile a detailed pro-forma invoice for the re-branding of the buses revealed that stickers on each bus cost Ghc11, 000. The pro-forma invoice dated 17th July 2015, and signed by the Accounts Officer of Smarttys Management and Productions and copied to the Ministry of Transport, put the total cost of branding for each bus at Ghc30,420.00. Smarttys Management and Productions is owned by Selassie Ibrahim, an actress cum entrepreneur and TV personality.

Source: citifmonline.com

RUMOURS: Mourinho to replace Benitez at Real Madrid

The Portuguese, who was sacked by Chelsea last week after the champions' poor start to the season, could be set for a return to the Santiago Bernabeu. Jose Mourinho could replace Rafael Benitez as Real Madrid manager, according to AS. The Portuguese was sacked by Chelsea on Thursday after the champions lost nine of their opening 16 Premier League matches, leaving them just one point above the relegation zone. Benitez's job has also come under threat this term, with Madrid two points behind league leaders Barcelona, who have a game in hand. And if president Florentino Perez was to dismiss the former Liverpool boss, Mourinho could be the man to take his place in the dugout at the Santiago Bernabeu. Mourinho spent three seasons at Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning one La Liga title and one Copa del Rey.

Source: Goal

Transport Minister Resigns Over MMRT Rebranding Scandal

Information available topeacefmonline.com indicates that Minister of Transport, Dzifa Attivor has resigned over the Metro Mass Rapid Transit Bus scandal. According to a statement signed by her Personal Assistant, Egypt Kobla Kudoto, the Minister of Transport can no longer continue with her duties and has accordingly submitted her resignation letter to the President, John Dramani Mahama. Issue Government has spent about GH¢ 3,649,044.75 on the Re-branding of 116 buses for the Metro Mass Rapid Transit (MMRT) imported to improve the transport system in the country. Re-branding for each of the buses cost GH¢31,457.28, leading to a total of GH¢3,649,044.75 for the 116 buses, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu quoted figures from the 2015 annual report on the Petroleum Funds. But the Transport Minister, Dzifa Ativor in her response to the claim by the Minority Leader said she did not have the details of the re-branding at hand and promised to make it available to the House at a later date. Below is the full statement: Hon Mrs Dzifa Attivor, Minister of Transport wishes to inform the good people of Ghana that, as the Minister with oversight responsibility for the activities of the Metro Mass Transit (MMT), she has tendered in her resignation as Minister due to the current issues surrounding the branding of the 116 buses. She further wants to take the opportunity to thank her Party for the opportunity offered her to serve, first as Deputy Minister of Transport under the late President JEA Mills, and later the substantive Minister. Mrs Dzifa Attivor also wishes to thank the President sincerely for the honour to serve in his government. She has already communicated this decision to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama through the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah. Signed Egypt Kobla Kudoto Personal Assistant

Source: Peacefmonline.com

EC Boss Should Have Been At IEA Election Lecture To Learn From The Nigerian Experience - Mrs Rawlings

Founder and flagbearer of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings has reiterated the need for a credible voters' register. Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings called for a new register, stressing that the register is a panacea for Ghana's porous elections. “I think we should have credible register…history teaches people that you learn from other people’s examples. You don’t sit down and pretend you know it all. So, you pick from places where they have experienced certain things, how they’ve done it, how you can improve yours and then you act on it." In an interview with Peacefmonline.com at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) 25th Anniversary Lecture on Free and Fair Elections in Africa, Nana Konadu advised political parties to desist from busing people to polling stations to do the bidding of the paymasters. According to her, "busing people whether they’re Ghanaians or not, busing people whether they’re registered voters or not; may be one of the ways that they want to twist things but I think that if you like your country enough, they will learn the right thing and correct them.” Nana Konadu further expressed concerns over the absence of Ghana's Electoral Commissioner Charlotte Osei at the IEA lecture. The lecture hosted Nigeria's immediate past Electoral Commissioner Prof. Attahiru Jega to share his experiences that led to free and fair elections in Nigeria on March 2015. Present at the function were NPP Flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; suspended NPP General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong; the former Chief of Staff, Nana Ato Dadzie; former Commissioner of CHRAJ, Prof. Emile Short among other dignitaries, but Ghana's EC Boss couldn't make the occasion. Addressing the absence of Mrs. Charlotte Osei, Nana Konadu held that the EC Boss should have been present to learn from the Nigerian experience. “I think it would have been good if she had the time to be present at least to listen to the questions that were being asked and then the answers that were going to be given.”

Source: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

NPP Members Pop Champagne To Kwabena Agyepong’s Suspension [PHOTOS]

Some supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) greeted the news about the suspension of their General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong with loud cheers and celebrations at the party headquarters in Accra. The National Executive Committee which took the decision on Thursday, also suspended the Second Vice Chairman Sammy Crabbe indefinitely.  Citi News’ Franklin Badu Junior who was at the party’s headquarters when the NEC ruled on the matter reported that about thirty supporters were popping champagne and wine, jubilating over the development. “A lot of champagne popping at the NPP headquarters at Asylum down. I can see about thirty supporters of the party popping champagne, some with powder, jubilating upon hearing that the party’s General Secretary, Kwabena Agyyepong and the Second Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe have been suspended.  “Some party members started shouting, screaming and pouring champagne immediately after the decision was announced- a sign that what they wanted for the party’s General Secretary and the Second Vice Chairman had received a stamp from the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC),” he said. He further stated that some party loyalists chased Agyepong out of the party headquarters with brooms after the decision was taken. This is not the first time Agyepong has met stiff opposition from NPP loyalists at the party’s headquarters. He was earlier confronted with a more violent actions which led to an attack on his vehicle after he brought to the notice of persons present at the party’s steering committee meeting, an application for interlocutory injunction. Persons present at the meeting Some bigwigs within the party, including Nana Addo, Haruna Esseku, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu among others were present at the meeting that saw the suspension of the two. Reports indicate that John Boadu, who is the NPP’s National Organiser is likely to take up Agyepong’s position.

Source: citifmonline.com

Kwabena Agyapong And Crabbe Suspended Indefinitely By NPP

Snippets of information reaching Peacefmonline.comindicates that, the General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong and Second National Vice Chairman Sammy Crabbe, have been suspended indefinitely by the National Executive Committee of the NPP. Media reports earlier indicated that the Disciplinary Committee of the NPP recommended a 15 months suspension for embattled General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong, and an indefinite suspension for its second vice chairman, Sammy Crabbe. Peace FM News' Naana Ntiri who is at the party's headquarters reports that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the opposition New Patriotic Party has upheld the decision by the party's Disciplinary Committee; and went further to commit both to an indefinite suspension. NEC met today to take the decision on whether to affirm the decision of the Disciplinary Committee at the party's headquarters in Asylum Down Accra. The suspensions follow a petition brought forth by some NPP members who accused the General Secretary and the second Vice Chairman of undermining the party’s authority after the suspension of National Chairman, Paul Afoko. Their utterances are believed to have emboldened the petitioners, Chris Arthur, Former TESCON-KNUST President; Adreba Kwaku Abrefa Damoa, London; Kwabena Afum Dankwa, London; and Kwame Baffoe, NPP Regional Youth Organiser, Brong Ahafo to demand sanctions against the two. Earlier today, Director of Communications of the NPP, Nana Akomea, denied reports that the DC has made recommendations for Kwabena Agyapong’s suspension in an interview with Peace FM's Kwami Sefa Kayi. The petitioners stated in their petition filed November 4, 2015 that; “Kwabena Agyepong has rubbished, and keeps rubbishing the suspension of Afoko from his chairmanship. This in our view is an act of mischievous contempt for the authority of the Party as a whole, including its elders, its leadership, and its structures.” However, even before today’s NEC meeting, some groups like the Ashanti Youth Association, Young Executives Forum of NPP, Ashanti Market Women Association and other pro-NPP groups warned the party to back off the decision to suspend Kwabena Agyapong or risk disintegrating the party ahead of the 2016 elections. Kwabena Agyepong and Sammy Crabbe will now join Paul Afoko as national officers who have been suspended by the party in less than three months. Some political observers had warned that sidelining such figures will deepen the party’s internal strife, but others disagree. It remains to be seen how these suspensions will affect the electoral fortunes of the NPP; if indeed it can.

Source: Alex Ofei-Kwayisi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana and Naana Ntiri/Peace FM News

Angry NDC Youth In Tamale Burn Inusah Fuseini Billboards

A purported dismissal of Alhaji Ibrahim Seidu from office as the Deputy Director of Feeder Roads Department sent some youth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Tamale Central Constituency on rampage on Wednesday. The youth who were protesting after hearing that the Civil Service had written a letter dismissing Alhaji Seidu popularly known as Engineer, took to the streets and destroyed posters and billboards of their Member of Parliament and Minister of Roads and Highways, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini Alhaji Ibrahim Seidu was a key challenger to incumbent Alhaji Fuseini in the November 21 NDC parliamentary primary in the Tamale Central Constituency.He lost the elections to Alhaji Fuseini. The destruction of property has generated tension in the area and especially at Tishigu, a suburb in the constituency where Alhaji Fuseini lives in Tamale. Meanwhile, heavily armed policemen have been deployed to maintain law and order. A source close to Engineer Ibrahim's campaign team confirmed that the Engineer has been served with a dismissal letter.

Source: Daily Graphic

We Don’t Need Any ‘Mugabe’ – Hassan Ayariga

The 2012 Presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC) says his party is tired of always presenting one candidate who according to him has no vision for PNC. Hassan Ayariga, who was referring to his contender Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama as the ‘Mugabe’ of the party, said when he (Dr Nasigrie Mahama) once again becomes the presidential candidate of the party, he will only end up dividing the party. “My contender is bringing division in the PNC and so I will be worried if he is elected as the presidential candidate of the party when we go to congress” he said. The 7th National Delegates Congress of the PNC will be held in the Upper West Region from December 11 to 13, 2015, in memory of late party stalwarts Alhaji Imoro Egala and President Hilla Limann. The National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan says the party has completed all the processes necessay for the successful two-day congress. He disclosed that the Electoral and Nominations Committee of the party, acting on its mandate, conducted balloting for all the aspirants on December 3, 2015 at the party headquarters in Accra. This follows the picking of nomination forms, filing and vetting of all aspirants to enable the party to go to congress as a united group. At the end of the largely successful balloting exercise, Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama and Dr Abdulai Hassan Ayariga, in that order, will contest the party’s presidential candidate slot. But speaking on Asempa FM Wednesday, Dr. Hassan Ayariga stressed that he is poised to bring unity in the party and therefore will not allow anyone to destroy the party as Dr Nasigrie Mahama did when he was the flagbearer of the party some time ago. He said when Dr. Nasigrie Mahama was elected as the flagbearer of the party, he showed no leadership skill ‘but only enjoys being a flagbearer with no vision’. “My only problem I have with my contender is the division he brought into the party in 2008, 2012 and now. When he was the leader and flagbearer of the party, his conduct brought the party into disarray because some people in the party intentionally campaigned against me”. Asked by show host, Kwadwo Asare Baffour Acheampong (KABA) what he intends brining on board, the 2012 Presidential candidate indicated that aside 'good' policies, he will rebrand and turn around the fortunes of the party. “The NPP and the NDC is successful because they are committing fully as far as resources are concerned and I intend doing more than that to see the PNC rise on its feet again” he stated.

Source: Adom News

Nkrumah Was One Of Ghana’s Worst Leaders – Prof. Adei

Former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei, has argued that despite Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s good works in his first ten years, he eventually turned into one of the worst Ghanaian leaders. Speaking on Citi FM’s “Time With The Legends” segment on the Citi Breakfast Show, Professor Adei acknowledged that Dr. Nkrumah’s first 10 years in power were brilliant, from a development standpoint, but further said the post-republic Nkrumah was “our undoing,” adding that Nkrumah was side-tracked by socialist philosophies. Professor Adei said Nkrumah at a point could be likened to Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe. “Despite the first decade of Nkrumah’s wonderful period, he was one of the worst leaders – murderous, despotic and everything else.” He stated that Dr. Nkrumah’s dictatorial turn was counterproductive for the country, undoing the good work of his first 10 years while ushering in an economic crisis in Ghana in 1963. “If you look at Ghana between 1963 and 1964, every macro-economic variable came to a halt; Inflation, deficit, external balances – everything!, the only thing that was strong in those years was operations.” Prof. Adei who is believed to be an authority on leadership, also described Africa’s leadership as worse than the dictatorships that characterized the rise of the likes of the Lee Kuan Yews-led Singapore, which muzzled all opposition and dissent. “They are worse than iron fists. They may not be harsh brutal killing people but they are stealing money doing everything else. In fact, our people are strong in the wrong direction.” He noted that the Asian leaders in the mold of Lee Kwan Yew were “effective leaders but not angels” adding they were equipped with leadership qualities and passionate about their countries never seeking personal gain. “They were very passionate about the development of their countries. They had vision, they had an agenda”, unlike leaders like the former President John Rawlings who had time (19 years) but not the leadership qualities and capacity of the “Lee Kwan Yew’s and the rest” to effect meaningful change, he said.

Source: citifmonline.com

Impeach Prez Mahama If... - Ade Coker Charges NPP

Peacefmonline.com Ade Coker In the wake of the erratic power and water supply to communities across the nation, it may be obvious that many Ghanaians have already started counting the days of the Mahama administration. With some people ready to kick President John Dramani Mahama out of the Flagstaff House, others believe he deserves a second term in office to remedy the economic situation of Ghana. But no party wants the government voted out of power than the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). In respect of this, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ade Coker has challenged the NPP to do everything within their power to oust the incumbent government. According to him, if the NPP believe the President has engaged in any act of misconduct; the party should "impeach" him. Addressing his comments to the NPP Central Regional Secretary, Kwamena Duncan, a panelist on the Wednesday edition of Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Ade Coker stated emphatically that the NPP should not hesitate to expose the President. “Go and impeach him. He’s there for you to impeach him. He’s there for your people to impeach him.” Ade Coker however touted the achievements of President John Mahama stressing that no matter the efforts by the opposition party to dent the character of the President; Ghanaians will retain him in office during the 2016 general elections. “President Mahama will be retained by the good people of Ghana...If wishes were like horses, beggars would ride," he stated.

  Source: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Gov’t Scraps Teacher Motivation Allowance

Government says it has scrapped the ‘teacher motivation allowance’ paid to members of the profession every term. The allowance was levied on students at the senior high school level, but that will no longer be charged from the next academic term. Speaking to Citi News, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Francis Gbadago, said the motivation allowance has outlived its usefulness, adding that other public sector workers such as doctors and nurses are not paid such allowances to be motivated to work harder. “The purpose for which this teacher motivation fee was introduced has lost its value at the moment. Now we have teachers being paid a considerable amount of money as salary. We think that at this particular point in time, there is no need for teachers to paid teacher motivation anymore.” He added, “there was no need to pay a category of professionals a particular motivation in order for them to deliver whatever they are supposed to deliver.” Mr. Gbadago further cautioned teachers at the basic school level against charging such similar fees from students. He stated that the Ministry of Education had become aware of a number of basic schools that were levying students with teachers’ motivation fees, saying it is “totally illegal” to charge such unapproved fees. “Our checks and research has revealed that indeed these basic schools are also charging teacher motivation across board and that is illegal. We think that it is time for the teachers of these schools to stop this collection of illegal fees before the law catches up with them.” The cancellation of the teacher motivation fee comes at a time when government has received a backlash for similarly halting the payment of allowance to trainee teachers. Government has also been criticized in recent times by teacher unions for not payment of other mandatory allowances such as transfer grants.

Source: Citifmonline.com