President Petitioned to 'Punish' Stan Dogbe

[citifmonline] President John Dramani Mahama has been petitioned by some 155 journalists from over 40 media houses, demanding punitive action against presidential staffer, Stan Dogbe.

The petition, spearheaded by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), follows an alleged assault by Mr. Dogbe on, Yahayah Kwamoah, a journalist working with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).

The petition is asking the President to penalize Mr. Stan Dobge particularly over his altercation with the GBC journalist during which he demolished his recorder.

Below is the petition

His Excellency,
President of the Republic of Ghana
Flagstaff House
Accra
September 30, 2015

Your Excellency,

Petition – Abuse of Journalist by Presidential Staffer

On 20th August, 2015, your staff Mr Stan Dogbe, assaulted Mr Yahyah Kwamoah, a journalist with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). Mr. Dogbe seized and destroyed the voice recorder of the journalist at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra after the latter had complied with his request to stop recording a conversation said to be private.

Since the incident happened, many notable personalities, journalists and organisations have called on your esteemed office to take action against the presidential staffer. These demands for action were intended for you to demonstrate commitment to the safety of journalists and intolerance to impunity.

It is important to point out the aggression by your staffer happened at a sad moment for journalists when colleagues covering your office had been involved in a serious accident that resulted in the death of one journalist and several others being injured.

We are concerned that over a month after the incident, and despite the several pleas from many people and organisations your office has not acted on the matter.

It is our considered view that the conduct by a staff of your highly esteemed office has a direct bearing on the reputation of the office. We therefore call on you to show personal commitment to the rights of journalists and your intolerance of acts that may bring your highly esteemed office into disrepute.

Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Veteran Journalist
Agya Kwaku Ogboro, Daily Guide
Eric Bawah, Classic FM
Dela Aku Russel, Daily Graphic
Twumasi Ampofo, Hot FM
Doreen Avio – Hitz FM
Philip M. Ampofo, Hot FM
Sarah B. Ampofo, Hot FM
Charles Takyi Boadu, Daily Guide Addo
George – Joy FM Beverly Broohm – Hitz FM
Zainab Issah, Daily Graphic
Samson Lardi Ayenini, Multi Tv, Joy FM, Lawyer
Samuel Dowuona, Adom FM
Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, The Chronicle
Bawah Alimatu Wiabriga, Bishara Radio
Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu, TV Africa
Nii Ogbamey Tetteh, Daily Guide
Erasmus Kwaw, Liguid Sports Ghana
Manasseh Awuni Azuri, Joy FM
Nana Boakye Yiadom, Citi FM
Ama Bawa, ATL FM
Nasara Saibu, Starr FM
Joojo Cobbinah, Multi TV
Ernest Quansah, Melody FM
K Boafo, Hot FM
Charles Asare, Hot FM
Euphemia Akpalu – Hitz FM
Eunice Attakora Manu, Angel FM
Obeng Kwaku, Hot FM
David Andoh – myjoyonline.com
Ebenezer Amuzu, Hot FM
Rahmatu Alhassan, Filla FM
Safik Mohammed, footballgh.com
Bills Gborgli – Adom FM
Ernest Kofi Adu, Daily Guide
John Wesley Danquah, Hot FM
Latifah Oppong Baffour, Breeze FM
Jones Owuraku Mantey, Hot FM
Suraya Titi Alidu, Kapital Radio
Emmanuel Afari Quaye, Space FM
Nana Asare Kwaku Boadu, Cape FM
Nancy Portia Cudjoe, Hot FM
Offei-Akoto Ayeh, A1 Radio
Evans Obiri Appiah, Today Newspaper
Edward Blagogee, Today Newspaper
Obeng Kwaku, Hot FM
Douglas Sakyi, Hot FM
Albert Sore, Joy News Upper West Regional Correspondent
Nana Oye Diabene, Freelance
Yaro Ismail, Might FM
Abena Korantema, Hot FM
Afia Badu Kwarten, Hot FM
MacParadise Okocha, Happy FM
Ato Keelson, Today Newspaper
Benedict Owusu – Joy FM
Napo Ali Fuseini, Today Newspaper
Koryekpor Freeman, Today Newspaper
Richard Kwasi Adjei Agyapong, Today Newspaper
Smart Takyi Nixon, Hedjorle Online Radio
Frank Agyam – Asempa FM
Moses Rexford Kumah, Hedjorle Online Radio
Yaw Yirenkyi Lamptey, Today Newspaper
Mwini Gabriel, Radio Progress
Nick Opoku – Joy FM
Nana Kwame Dankwah, Hot FM
Henry Harding, Hot FM
Thomas Freeman Yeboah, Hot FM
Stephen Assan, Hot FM
Amoah Elijah, Freelancer
Mohammed Abdul Malik, Zuria FM
Nyarko Abronoma, Vision One FM
Mohammed Mutaka, Diamond FM
Abdulai Abdul Gafaru, Diamond FM
Mohammed Ibn Abdallah, Diamond FM
Sey Mubarik , Kesmi FM
Abdulai Abdul Majeed , Diamond FM
Abdul Kareem Abdul Gafaru, Diamond FM
Abdulai Sayibu Terry, Bishara FM
Amorotee Ibrahim, Justice FM
Queissi Appiah Lawrence – Hitz FM
Osman Abdul Hafiz- Might FM
Abdulai M. Rafik – North Star Radio
Emmanuel Akli – The Chronicle
Joseph Ackon-Mensah, Student Journalist, Jayee University
Osei Kofi Serebour, Freelance Journalist
Nana Kyei – Freelance
Joe Debrah- Happy FM
Eric K. Adjanor- Atinka FM
Pratt Jude- Atinka FM
Nathaniel Obeng- Atinka FM
Edward Akuffo- Atinka FM
Jerry Tsatsu Mordy- Atinka FM
Richard Gyamfi- Time FM
Bashiru Bukari- West End Radio
Isaac Nuamah Yeboah- Atinka FM
Kofi Larweh- Ghana Community Radio
Network Osman Nuhu- Gmantambu Radio
Adugbire Cletus- A1 Radio
Samuel Sikkayena- Time FM
Ishmael Atiemo- Atinka FM
Kwesi Sarpong- Happy FM
Rahael Asamoah- Peace FM
Samuel Dortey Kumah- Peace FM
Kwakye Kwabena- Happy FM
Isaac Oduro- Peace FM
Yaa Asamoah- Happy FM
Emmanuel Boadi- Happy FM
Samuel Addo- Happy FM
Ernest Della Aglanu –myjoyonline.com
Kwame Owusu Acheampong- Happy FM
Benjamin Mensah- Time FM
Albert Leonard Yirenkyi-Happy FM
Hannah Sekyi-Happy FM
Edwin Appiah – myjoyonline.com
Odeasempa Kwame Oware- Happy FM
Ebenezer Acquah- Happy FM
Daniel Delong- Happy FM/ETV
Doris M. Adams- ETV
Ohene-Bampoe Brenya- ETV
Fati Shaibu-Ali – ETV
Harijatu Yabah- Marhaba FM
Thelma Botchway- Peace FM
Abdallah S. Bako- Marhaba FM
Deborah Agyei Amposah- Peace FM
Asmau Bawa- Marhaba FM
Aisha Ashir Habib- Marhaba FM
Michael Botwe- Peace FM
Abdul Wahab J. –Marhaba FM
Kwame Nkrumah- Peace FM
Salifu Abdul-Dahim- Marhaba FM
Ernest Boamah- Multi TV
Koby Gomez-Mensah – Starr FM
Emmmanuel Bekoe- Peace FM
Akua Adufa Mintah – Peace FM
Gilbert Boyefio- Parliamentary News
Papisdaff Abdullah Ali – Starr FM
Maame Adjoa Nkansiwah, Class Media Group
Kwasi Agyeman- Peace FM
Fred Dzakpata – Starr FM
Naana Ntiri- Peace FM
Osei Owusu Amankwah – Starr FM
Faustine Akwa – myjoyonline.com
Umar Sadat Larry – Hearts News
Frederick Addae Ansah – Live FM, C. Coast
Kwetey Nartey – Joy FM
Malik Abass Daabu – myjoyonline.com
Kwame Yeboah – Radio Silver
Gloria Akpene Nyarku – Hitz FM
Ebenezer Afenyi Dadzie – Citi FM
Esinam Femersah – Joy FM
Akosua Asiedua – myjoyonline.com
Richard Ntow Gyan – Akyeah FM
Richard Atenka – The Chronicle
Eugene Akyea Mensah – The Chronicle
–
By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

4 accused clerks directed to watch Anas' video and return with response

Souce: myjoyonline.com

Four staff of the Judicial Serv­ice implicated in the latest Anas Aremeyaw Anas bribery scandal Thursday have been asked to watch the video and return with responses when they appeared before the Chief Justice's committee of inquiry.

The court clerks are expected to justify why disciplinary actions should not be taken against them.

They are Elias Nkansah, Daniel Dzata, Eric Ayensu and Peace Abuadzi - all clerks in various courts.

Over 180 staff of the Service were caught on camera taking bribes while some demanded for sex to influence judgment of cases or acted as middlemen for some judges.

The committee resumes sitting on Monday.

Other members are Der­rick Annan; John Bannerman, Chief Registrar of Courts; Nana Opoku Asumani, Secretary; Patri­cia Quansah, a Circuit Court Judge and Frederick Baidoo, Deputy Director of Human Resource of the Judicial Service.

Seven Out

So far, 22 circuit court judges and magistrates have already been suspend­ed while seven high court judges have been asked to stay away by the Chief Jus­tice, Georgina Theodora Wood, in order to establish their culpability.

The high court judges implicated are Justices Francis K. Opoku, Kofi Essel Mensah, John Ajet-Nasam, Ernest Obimpeh, Kwame Ohene Essel, Ivy Heward-Mills and Gilbert Ayisi Addo.

 See more at:myjoyonline.com

Nana Aba's suspension an 'overkill' - Ace Ankomah

Source: kwradioonline.com

A private legal practitioner Ace Ankomah believes that television station TV3’s public suspension of their presenter, Nana Aba Anamoah was an overreaction.

TV3 in a statement on Saturday said they have taken Nana Aba off air following the social media frenzy that ensued over her tweeting of a picture suggesting she was in the United Kingdom watching a Manchester United game.

Management of the station claim they have been embarrassed by Nana Aba’s actions, hence the decision to suspend her until further notice.

Mr Ankomah told Accra-based Citi FM the public announcement of the suspension as an “overkill.”

He said when TV3 realized that the issue adversely affected their reputation, they could have just taken Nana Aba off quietly “and probably make a joke out of all of this because it’s been quite a joking trend that she was everywhere even on the moon.”

“But when the story was just about dying then there is a full press release, unless something happened in the background I don’t know, but I think that the announcement was a bit of an overkill,” he added.

Meanwhile, after trolling and ‘crucifying’ her days following her recent faux pas, Ghanaians have rallied behind the popular TV presenter and are calling for her reinstatement following her suspension. - See more at (Source): myjoyonline.com

Among the several request is a Faceook video titled "Bring back Nana Aba!" Uploaded by Nana Yaw Celestins it has gained over 22,710 views within hours of its upload.

 

Video Source: Bring Nana Aba Back!

Anas petitions IGP to Arrest two judges

source: citi online

Ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has turned the heat on two retired justices of the High Court as he writes to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest them.

Justices Yaw Ansu Gyeabuor (retd) and Justice F.K. Opoku (retd), were among 12 High Court judges caught on camera allegedly receiving bribes to tilt the scale of justice but they are currently on retirement.

The fact that they are on retirement means that impeachment proceedings cannot be instituted against them, but Anas has petitioned the IGP to cause the arrest of the two retired justices.

A petition dated September 28, 2015, signed by Anas, addressed to the IGP and copied to the Attorney-General, said “I, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, in my capacity as a citizen of Ghana, and by profession an investigative journalist and a lawyer, humbly file this petition, requesting for the investigation and arrest of Justice Yaw Ansu Gyeabuor (retd) and Justice F.K. Opoku (retd).”

Stating the basis for his request, Anas said “I have information that the two retired Justices of the High Court may possibly leave the jurisdiction due to the ripple effect of the documentary ‘Ghana in the Eyes of God."

The documentary implicates both of them in the act of corruption as public officers and also as persons who whilst occupying a public office as judges, dishonestly abused their office for private benefit and profit.

These two judges cannot be submitted to the impeachment process as laid down by the 1992 Constitution for their impeachment based on stated misbehaviour due to the fact that they are retired.


Not invited

According to the petition, as a result of the two being on retirement, the Chief Justice did not invite them to respond to the allegations of crime against them contained in the documentary.

“This means that the two of them are not encumbered in any manner and can leave the jurisdiction of this country as they wish. They may decide also not to return for as long as they wish,” the petition stated.

 
Particulars of offence

According to Anas, he paid the bribe to Justice Ansu-Gyeabour, then the High Court Judge for Tamale, on July 24, 2014, to free an accused person charged with defilement.

“We paid the bribe amount to the justice in his official bungalow at Kukuo in Tamale. I visited Justice Ansu Gyeabuor in his home and dutifully explained to him that the girl in question was over 16 years. I then added an amount of GH¢2,000, which had already been negotiated through his driver to make the explanation more plausible. We later sent him yam, a guinea fowl and additional GH¢200.”

 
Justice Opoku

With regard to Justice F.K. Opoku, then with the Bolgatanga High Court, the petition said he took the bribe at his official bungalow.

It said Justice Opoku accepted GH¢ 1,500 from him after Anas had gone to the judge’s house to explain matters to him with reference to child custody issues.

Anas attached the pictures and videos detailing the alleged criminal act of the two retired judges.


Background

Thirty-four judges and magistrates and more than 100 members of staff of the Judicial Service have been caught on tape receiving bribes to compromise cases.

They are currently being investigated by their employer. - See more at (source): graphic.com.gh

Bribery scandal rocks Judiciary - Graphic Online

It may go down in history as the single most massive bribery scandal to hit Ghana’s Judiciary, as 180 officials of the Judicial Service have been caught on camera taking bribes and extorting money from litigants.

Thirty-four of the suspected culprits are said to be judges at the High, the Circuit and the District courts.

Some of the culprits have also been linked to sex scandals in a three-hour edited video emanating from a two-year investigation into corrupt practices in the Judicial Service. Read more

Bribery scandal rocks Judiciary - Graphic Online

"They Never Go Change"

The is by far the most touching song I have ever heard from these guys, it's so sad and true.

Power outages in Ghana have become so well-recognized that they have been given a local name: dumsor (a combination of the Twi words for “off” and “on”). Since December 2014, the condition has grown increasingly worse, especially for Ghanaians who live in the southern half of the country. Recently, they’ve battled frequent and lengthy dumsor spells that often last 24 hours, followed by 12 hours with light.- OkayAfrica.com

[Pictures/Videos] Flood & Fire Cause Over 100 Deaths at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Accra

Floods shut down the capital of Ghana and caused a fire that killed scores of people on Wednesday and Thursday (June 3 & 4, 2015) in Accra.

At least half a dozen have died and several others seriously burned in a Goil fuel station blaze at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.

The fire started as people in the city are trying to cope with two days of heavy rain, which has left many homeless and without power.

 

The flooding hampered rescue efforts and may have led to the fire, the BBC's Sammy Darko reports from Accra. - BBC

About six fire tenders were battling the fire, which was said to have started at around 9pm, unimpeded by the pouring rain.

One of those who died in the blaze was a child - BBC

The child's mother was consoled by bystanders - BBC

The number of casualties could be higher by Thursday, when firemen expect to bring the blaze under total control, according to eyewitnesses. Apart from the fuel station, which was destroyed completely, the fire also razed several other homes and businesses, including a drugstore and a forex bureau.

Among those trapped in the blaze were young men who trade in the vicinity and others who had sought shelter from hours of torrential rains that have devastated the capital.

Some of the dead were visible on the pavement in front of the fuel station, after the floods had receded slightly; they were apparently drowned and were spotted with burns.

Survivor Yaw Aforve said he was sleeping in his car at the petrol station when he heard the fire - BBC

Bus conductor Yaw Aforve was sleeping in his vehicle which was parked at the petrol station when the fire started.
He said he jumped into the floodwaters and when he came up for air, the fire burnt his face.
"I was swept away by the water to the other side [of the road]," he added. "I saw so many people screaming and shouting."

Cricle Disaster covered by Fati Shailbu Ali and Cameraman Kweku Ansah.Fighting a raging fire and rescuing flood victims all at the same time; fire fighters and personnel from the National Disaster Management Organization had a tough time managing what has now become a major disaster in the country. Close to fifty people burnt to death, several others are unaccounted for. Tens are receiving treatment at the 37 military, Ridge and Korlebu teaching hospitals. It took the fire service hours to bring the fire under control.

Posted by e.TV Ghana on Wednesday, June 3, 2015

On June 3, heavy rains led to an explosion at a fuel station around the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, Ghana. Over 90 people lost their lives with several persons sustaining various degrees of injuries. This feature by Philip Ashon, looks at the events of June 4, 2015 and looks at how Ghanaians dealt with the loss. #ThisMustStop

Posted by Citi 97.3 FM on Thursday, June 4, 2015

"Only Poor Persons Are Complaining About Dumsor" – Says NDC MP

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Lower Manya Krobo, Ebenezer Teye Larbi says he is surprised at the exaggeration given to the effects of Ghana’s energy crisis.

His shock, he said, stems from the fact that it is persons who cannot afford basic household electrical gadgets such as air conditions and fridges who are rather exaggerating the effects of the crisis.

The effects of Dumsor are “exaggerated by people who cannot afford to buy fridges or air conditions in their homes,” he said.

The NDC Legislator who was reacting to cries on the government to end the crisis on Asempa FM’s Ekosii FM programme further called on Ghanaians to rather invest their “energies into thinking” outside the box than lamenting over the impact of the power crisis.

NPP’s Director of communications, Nana Akomea who was on the show blamed the Mahama-led administration for worsening the plight of Ghanaians by failing to address the power crisis.

But in a quick rebuttal, Mr. Teye Larbi said the NPP is rather creating a mountain out of an ant hill for political expediency.

In his view, the current power crisis is better than what the country went through in 1983.

Instead of lamenting on the non-existent impact of the dumsor, the Lower Manya Krobo urged Ghanaians to be smart.

“Let invest our energies in thinking about how to be smart in the dumsor. The effects of dumsor have been over flogged,” he stressed.- adomonline.com


I can believe he had the guts to say this, is it for reasons such as these that the poor pay taxes and elect officials to run the country.

The 1982-85 crisis arose largely as a result of poor rainfall in the Volta River catchment over the 1982-84 period. This was exacerbated by the large power requirements by Valco, the aluminum Smelter which had a contractual requirement of up to 370MW at the time. The combination of the drought in the sub-region and the large power requirements imposed on the Akosombo power plant by Valco resulted in the shortage of power supply from the plant. It is to be noted that, at the time, the country depended solely on the Akosombo power plant for its electricity supplies. Togo and Benin also depended on power delivery from the Akosombo plant through a Power Supply arrangement signed in 1972

The (PNDC) government's response to dealing with the crisis was to negotiate and cut off power supply to Valco with the exception of a minimum amount of power required to maintain smelting equipment, lighting, etc. - read more from myjoyonline

How is the current government responding to this? I found what he said to be insulting,

"If I had been born in Ghana, my life expectancy would be 7 years shorter" - Bill Gates

Bill Gates' tweet that he had been born in Ghana, his life expectancy would be 7 years shorter really was quite intriguing.

If I had been born in Ghana, my life expectancy would be 7 years shorter: http://t.co/Xra1AO8Q8r pic.twitter.com/WsLjeq1hni
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) April 10, 2015

I was if the research data included the reasons why.

The price of gold: Chinese mining in Ghana documentary | Guardian Investigations

Published on Apr 24, 2013 on Youtube

Ghana has had a gold rush but here, Afua Hirsch discovers how Chinese immigrants are profiting from industrialising the country's small-scale mining industry. She sees for herself that, for the many locals who chance losing life and limb for a piece of the same pie, the risks are rarely worth it, and explores where the responsibility for regulating this industry lies.



Afua Hirsch reports on Ghana's gold rush in a film that discovers how Chinese immigrants are profiting from industrialising the country's small-scale mining industry. She sees for herself that, for the many locals who chance losing life and limb for a piece of the same pie, the risks are rarely worth it, and explores where the responsibility for regulating this industry lies.

Body of St. Paul Student Released For Burial

The body of a 14-year-old student who was shot and killed at St. Pauls Senior High School (SPACO) at Denu in the Volta Region has been released by the Ghana Police Service for burial.

The first year student was killed Saturday by a stray bullet when the police were invited to quell riots by students who had been demanding release of two colleagues said to have been engaging in homosexual act.

The students went on rampage, destroying school properties when authorities refused to allow them to beat up the alleged homosexual students.

The police have arrested the two boys alleged to be engaging in the homosexual act.

“The police officers involved in the shooting incident have been detained at the regional police headquarters in Ho and investigations have commenced earnestly into the entire incident”, said DSP Arthur.

The school was closed down on Saturday following the disturbances.
However, Headmaster of the school, Kofi Hlorgbey, told Joy News a committee will meet Monday to decide a new reopening date for the school.

Source: newsbos.com

February 2015 ECG Load-Shedding Guide

According to the revised load-shedding program, households will be without power for 24 hours.

ECG says households are expected to enjoy 12 hours of constant electricity supply under the new program that has been in operation for some time now.

Click on the link below to view the new load shedding time table:
Load-Shedding Time Table

Source: citifmonline 

One dead in ST. Paul SHS riot

According to Citionline "Students of St. Paul’s Senior High School (SHS) in Denu have been asked to go home following a rampage that left a student dead and several others injured.

The students were reportedly protesting against attempts by the Police to protect their colleagues (whom they accused of sodomy) from “instant justice"

The deceased, Adio Rakhib, was a first year student of the school

“The situation got out of hand so we invited the police; immediately the police came the students started throwing stones at the officers” said a teacher.

Some of the students have also accused the Police of having a hand in their colleague’s death saying, “the Police came opening fire on us and one of the stray bullets hit our friend.’’

Source: Citionline.com

Related: Body Of St Paul Student Released For Burial

RawFacts with JJ Rawlings (on Bishop Obinim & Kumchacha)

JJ Rawlings expresses his displeasure about the use of "Magic" in some Churches in deceiving the masses. He fears this can be harnessed for political endeavors. I must admit that I was impressed he still had a knack for the Ewe Language. 

You've Got To Love Papa J

JJ wasn't too pleased about the change...he had to put his foot down.

Businessman murdered in Kumasi

Residents of TUC, a suburb of Kumasi, were visited with mayhem last Friday night, when unknown assailants shot and killed a local businessman, Alhaji Alidu, in front of his house.

The deceased, affectionately known as Burger Alidu, who shuttles between Europe and Asia for second hand car tyres and car spare parts, was gunned down on Friday evening at 8 O’clock.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ashanti Police Command, ASP Mohammed Yussif Tanko, told The Chronicle in a telephone conversation that Alhaji Alidu was gunned down when he got down from his car to open the gate to his house.

According to him, the miscreants shot Alhaji Alidu in the head and stomach, and he was pronounced dead after being rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

PRO Tanko told The Chronicle that residents in the neighbourhood mistook the gunshots for fire crackers, only to hear that Burger Alidu had been murdered in cold blood.

He added that a pistol and a GH¢20 note were found in the bag of the deceased at the time the body was found. - thechronicle

KKD's Rape Charge Withdrawn

The 19-year-old girl who accused media icon, Kwesi Kyei Darkwa (KKD) of rape has withdrawn the charges, sources at the Greater Accra Police Command have told citifmonline.com.

The lady is said to have written to the court to withdraw the case.

The victim alleged that she was raped during a fashion show at the African Regent Hotel.

KKD denied raping her but admitted having consensual sex with her. - Ghana Web