General News

I used Common Fund to buy khebab for your parents – NDC MP blasts branch executive

Theresa Lardi Awuni, Member of Parliament for Okaikwei North Constituency

A video of Theresa Lardi Awuni, the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei North Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has recently gone viral.

In the 31-second video, the MP is heard hitting out at a branch executive believed to be from her party.

The video captures a visibly agitated Lardi Awuni, addressing a gathering of individuals, believed to be NDC sympathizers.

She takes the opportunity to explain the context that led to her outburst, detailing that the branch executive had questioned her over the use of the Common Fund allocated to the constituency on a platform they both belong.

The MP, evidently displeased is heard saying, "A branch executive in this constituency, three days ago went to write on the platform, that what does the MP use the Common Fund for?

“I used it to buy khebabs for your mother and father... is Common Fund personal money given to us? I haven’t even seen some before, they don't give it to me directly."

I used Common Fund to buy khebab for your parents - NDC MP blasts branch executive

What is District Assembly Common Fund (DACF)

The District Assembly Common Fund is established by the District Assembly Common Fund Act 1993, (Act 455) under Article 242.

The purpose of setting this fund is to provide resources to support the developmental activities of the local government. It is a fund created out of the consolidated fund to channel resources from the central government to the local governments for development.

The District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF) is a pool of resources created under section 252 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana.

It is a minimum of 5% of the national revenue set aside to be shared among all District Assemblies in Ghana with a formula approved by Parliament. It is a Development Fund which enables the use of the nation’s wealth throughout Ghana to the benefit of all citizens.

Purpose of the DACF

a) The Fund is to ensure equitable distribution of the national resources for the development in every part of Ghana.

b) To Improve Housing Schemes.

c) To support sanitation management

d) It is to strengthen decentralization and to promote Sustainable self-help development communities.

e) To improve upon primary health care delivery in all part of Ghana

f) It is to improve the country’s educational facilities, and to ensure quality education g) The Fund support Community policing.
Sources of money into the fund

The District Assembly Common fund is financed from the following sources:

a) A minimum of 5% of total tax revenue is transferred quarterly into the fund.

b) Income from investment of the fund

c) Donations and Grants

Expenditures Charged on the fund

a) Disbursement to MMDAs/MPs

b) Disbursement to RCCs

c) Direct expenditures on behalf of MMDAs (reserves)

d) Administrative expenses directly related to funding administration (audit fee, bank charges etc.)

Approved areas of spending the share of DACF by the MMDSs:

a) Economic Ventures(Energy, Markets, Agriculture, Services roads etc.

b) Social services(Education, health, Water, Sports and Recreation, Self-help projects, Educational Activities etc.)

c) Administration (capacity building of DA staff and Assembly members, Accommodation, office Equipment etc.

d) Environment(Sanitation, Disaster management)

e) MPs common fund

Administration of the District Assembly Common Fund/ Functions of the Administrator

The fund is administered by the DACF Administrator appointed by the president. The DACF Administrator has the following mandatory functions:

a) Propose formula annually for the allocation and distribution of the common fund to the MMDAs

b) Allocate and distribute the common fund quarterly based on the approved formula to the various MMDAs

c) Report in writing to the MOF on how the fund was distributed and utilized by the various MMDAs; and

d) Perform any other functions required by the President of the Republic

Benefits of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF)

a) The fund aims at creating jobs for all through programmes such as cottage industries.

b) It seeks to get more people to gain access to improved shelter through the housing.

c) Through the fund, health facilities are expanded and improved to make health delivery accessible to many people

d) Through the fund numerous school buildings and structures have been constructed for the increasing needs of the population.

e) The fund encourages and supports communities that make effort to initiate their own development projects (Community Initiated Programme).

Challenges of the Administration of the DACF

a) Delay in the release and disbursement of the fund to the MMDAs

b) Government interference in the allocation and disbursement of the fund

c) Inadequacy of funds

d) Misappropriation and financial malpractices at the MMDAs level

e) Over-reliance on the fund by some district assemblies. Retarding innovative financing.

Financial Report by the DACF Administrator

The Administrator of the common fund is obliged to submit to parliament, an annual report on the activities undertaken during the preceding fiscal year. The report should include information on the manner in which the monies lodged in the common fund has been distributed and the report of the Auditor-General on the accounts

The financial report of the common fund is basically made up of Income and Expenditure Account and then a statement of financial position showing the financial state of the fund.

911 GOOD SAMARITAN LAW(Opioid)

The law offers some protection to the overdose victim and those who call 911 from prosecution for

  • Drugs(possession up to 8oz of narcotics)
  • Marijuana(any amount)
  • Alcohol(for underage drinkers)
  • Paraphernalia offenses
  • Sharing of drugs (in NYS sharing constitutes a ''sales'' offences)

Does not provide explicit legal protections for probation or parole violations, violations for open warrants, issues related to immigration ,child welfare.

BoG Governor is a masterclass in monetary mismanagement – Prof. Hanke

Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University, Steve Hanke

Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University, Steve Hanke, has criticized Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor Ernest Addison, describing his him as a "masterclass in monetary mismanagement."

Professor Hanke's comments came in the context of the #OccupyBoG protest organized by a minority of parliament members, who are demanding the resignation of the governor and his deputies in addition to the reversal of a controversial Bank of Ghana building project.

In a series of tweets, Professor Hanke expressed his support for the #OccupyBoG protest, which saw thousands of Ghanaians take to the streets of Accra to demand the resignation of Ernest Addison and his deputies.

His tweet read, "#OccupyBoG: Today, thousands of Ghanaians took to the streets of Accra to demand the resignation of Ernest Addison, Ghana's central bank governor. GOV. ADDISON = A MASTERCLASS IN MONETARY MISMANAGEMENT."

Ghana's economy has been a topical issue in recent months following a downturn occasioned by galloping inflation, depreciating currency and general decline in the quality of life coupled with high cost of living.

The government has serially blamed the aftermath of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war before submitting to a US$3 billion IMF loan last year, if which US$600 million as tranche one has been credited to government account.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/EflHpt0gOGo

Death toll in Libya’s Derna flooding could reach 20,000: Mayor.

Residents of the devastated Libyan city of Derna desperately searched for missing relatives as rescue workers appealed for more body bags, after a catastrophic flood that killed thousands of people and swept many out to sea.

Swathes of the Mediterranean city were obliterated by a torrent of water unleashed by a powerful storm that swept down a usually dry riverbed on Sunday night, bursting dams above the city. Multistorey buildings collapsed with sleeping families inside.

Spokesperson of the interior ministry Lieutenant Tarek al-Kharraz on Wednesday told the AFP news agency that 3,840 deaths had been recorded in the Mediterranean city so far, including 3,190 who have already been buried. Among them were at least 400 foreigners, mostly from Sudan and Egypt.

Meanwhile, Hichem Abu Chkiouat, minister of civil aviation in the administration that runs eastern Libya, told the Reuters news agency more than 5,300 dead had been counted so far, and said the number was likely to increase significantly and might even double.

Derna Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television the estimated number of deaths in the city could reach between 18,000 to 20,000 based on the number of districts destroyed by the flood.

libya
A view shows a damaged car [Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters]

Derna resident Mahmud Abdulkarim told journalist Moutaz Ali in Tripoli that he lost his mother and brother, after failing to evacuate in time from their first floor apartment following the collapse of a dam.

“She refused to leave her place … didn’t imagine the situation would be horrible and told him [Abdulkarim] it was just ordinary rains,” Ali reported, from an event organised for Tripoli’s Derwani community.

According to Abdulkarim, when his mother and brother did decide to finally leave their apartment, they were swept away by the floodwaters once they reached the streets to flee.

My number one position is an indication that I will be president – Kennedy Agyapong

Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central

Member of Parliament for Assin Central and New Patriotic Party (NPP), flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong, has posited that his consistent drawing of the number one spot on ballots is a divine signal that he would lead both the NPP and the nation.

Speaking to the media after balloting on September 13, 2023, he expressed the belief that being drawn number one on the ballot for the second successive time was a clear indication from God that he should be entrusted with the mantle of leadership.

He noted that this divine message is apparent to anyone who subscribes to biblical wisdom.

"It is clear that I am the person God has chosen to lead the NPP. If you believe in the Bible… because everywhere I go, Kennedy Agyapong is number one. It is a clear indication that I should be given a chance to lead this country."

He highlighted that he drew the number one spot in the super delegates' election and has once again drawn number one in the upcoming party congress.

These occurrences, he believes, offer undeniable proof of his presidential destiny.

"The signs are clearly on the wall that if you vote for Kennedy Agyapong, he will definitely lead this country and break the eight."

The reference to "break the eight" alludes to his desire to end the two-term limit in power that parties under the Fourth Republic have stayed in power and secure a third consecutive term for the party.

The Presidential Elections Committee held an interactive session with the four contestants vying for the NPP presidential primaries scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023.

The outcome of the session was the agreement on the modalities and procedures that will govern the upcoming election.

Under the supervision of officials from the Electoral Commission of Ghana, the Elections Committee conducted a balloting process to determine the order in which the contestants will appear on the ballot.

Here is the order in which the contestants will appear on the ballot:

1. Ken Ohene Agyapong

2. Mahamudu Bawumia

3. Owusu Afriyie Akoto

4. Francis Addai-Nimoh

statefmonline.com

Reconstruction of Appiatse community progressing steadily, 20 buildings almost completed – MCE

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Prestea Huni-Valley, Isaac Dasmani, says the reconstruction of the Appiatse community is progressing steadily.

According to him, geological works and assessments are currently ongoing to ensure some buildings are completed to provide shelter for the residents.

He made this known on Friday, March 11 after a burial service was held for six of the residents who died in the tragic explosion.

“We’ve put all of them to rest and a number of people came around to support. The reconstruction committee has been constituted and they have started all the geological works. All those who matter in the construction industry, their teams have been around.

“As I speak, a team from UMaT is on the field testing the soil and other important things that they need to do. We want to give the people a temporal shelter by roofing those uncompleted buildings.

“As we speak, 20 buildings are almost completed, very soon we’d put the roofs on top and then we’d share them for the people to stay in temporarily whilst the reconstruction people also do their work,” he told JoyNews in an interview.

Isaac Dasmani raised concerns over the payment of medical bills, stating that authorities will have to find a sustainable means of ensuring some of the victims continue to get medical attention.

“What is now worrying us is the hospitals they’re attending. Some of them are still going for reviews and when they come with some bills that we pay and all of that – that’s the challenge we are going through now,” he noted.

The explosion, which occurred on January 20, 2022, near Bogoso, claimed 13 lives leaving 59 others severely injured, including a 15-month-old baby.

According to the Police, the incident was due to a collision between a truck carrying mining explosives, a motorcycle and another vehicle resulting in the explosion.

The disaster displaced many after their homes were razed to the ground by the blast. Indeed, a whole community was destroyed.

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and many Ghanaians after the incident provided relief items for the victims who have since been given a temporary shelter.

The government subsequently formed a committee to oversee the rebuilding of the community, which is currently ongoing.

Government has also received a report from a committee formed to probe the circumstances leading to the disaster.

A support fund, Appiatse Support Fund, has been set up to receive donations and help rebuild the community. The Fund received its first donation of GH₵100,000 from President Akufo-Addo; other organisations have also donated to the Fund.

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources later fined Maxam Company Limited, the company responsible for transporting the explosives, an amount of $6 million.

President Akufo-Addo then directed that $5 million of the amount be donated to the Support Fund to rebuild the community.

Barker-Vormawor’s Facebook comments not measurable to Treason Felony charges – Martin Amidu

Barker-Vormawor’s Facebook comments not measurable to Treason Felony charges – Martin Amidu

Former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, has disagreed with the Treason Felony charge against #FixTheCountry Movement lead convener, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, stressing that the comments are ambiguous.

Martin Amidu in a statement said after carefully reading of the supposed Facebook coup comments, they cannot be measured to the treason charge against Barker-Vormawor.

“It is my considered view that the two contradictory and ambiguous Facebook comments taken separately or together do not measure up to the basic ingredients of the provisional charge of the indictable offence of treason felony for which he was ‘cynically’ and surprisingly brought before an inferior court without powers of bail on 14 February 2022, and for which he is still in police custody on remand,” he said.

He believes the arrest and detention of Baker-Vormawor is “a clear and calculated intention” from the government to infringe on the fundamental human rights and freedoms of Mr. Barker-Vormawor.

According to Martin Amidu, the Akufo-Addo government has ‘knowingly’ and ‘intentionally’ turned the administration of justice into an ‘inquisitorial’ and ‘persecutorial’ system to intimidate and suppress the personal liberty of the social

“The contention that he was not brought before a court within 48 hours of his original arrest or detention because of lack of a court during the weekend is vacuous,” Martin Amidu contended.

Martin Amidu while recalling some distinguished Directors of Public Prosecutions he had worked with, expressed doubts as to whether any of them would have agreed to the Police bringing Mr Barker-Vormawor to any court on treason felony charge upon his comments on Facebook.

Barker-Vormawor’s arrest and subsequent happenings

Oliver Barker-Vormawor has been in Police custody since he was arrested on the evening of February 11, 2022 over coup comments on his Facebook page. The arrest took place immediately he arrived from the United Kingdom.

In a press release, the Police explained that his arrest followed “a post he allegedly made on a social media platform to the effect that he would stage a coup himself if the E-Levy Bill is passed by Parliament.”

Subsequently, he was charged with treason felony, an offence provided for in section 182(b) of Ghana’s Criminal offences Act.

Appearing in Court on Monday, February 14, the judge hearing the matter, Eleanor Barnes remanded Barker-Vormawor into Police custody pointing out that the nature and severity of the crime meant the Court cannot grant bail.

His lawyers later filed a suit at the Supreme Court challenging his arraignment before the district court.

They wanted the Court to determine whether the Police have discharged their constitutional duty by sending their client to a court with no jurisdiction to consider a bail application.

According to them, the ruling of the High Court ‘B’, Tema, dated February 17, 2022, entails a grave error of law which error is patent on the face of the record.

But the Supreme Court on March 2, struck out the application filed by lawyers for Oliver Barker-Vormawor.

This was after the Court had questioned the processes filed by the lawyers saying it does not properly invoke the jurisdiction of the Court.

According to JoyNews’ Joseph Ackah-Blay, lawyers for the youth activist then informed the Court they wanted to withdraw the case.

We’ll crush anyone who attempts to make coup – Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo has stressed the preparedness of the government to build the capacity of the country's security services to ensure the protection of the country's territorial integrity.

"The government is determined to do everything within its power to guarantee the nation's territorial integrity and ensure the safety of citizens," he said.

He has, therefore, encouraged all Ghanaians to cooperate with the security services in the discharge of their duties.

President Akufo-Addo who made the call at Ghana's 65th independence parade at Cape Coast in the Central region on Sunday, March 6, 2022, said when all the security services worked together, it would help to ensure the safety of all Ghanaians.

The 65th independence celebration was held on the theme: “Working Together, Bouncing Back Together”.

For President Akufo-Addo, when the country's security is secured, the country could then channel its energies into building a prosperous nation.

The President however did not underestimate the challenges that the country will encounter in ensuring the protection of its territorial integrity.

He said when all the security services together with the citizenry worked together, the country would be able to overcome every security challenge.

Source: graphic.com.gh

Presiding Member & Driver Honored On Independence Day By Aspiring NALAG President.

NALAG President Hopeful, Hon.Kusi Kwaku Eric, has Honored the presiding member for Adansi North District in the Ashanti Region,Hon.Dominic Odame Kusi and Mr.Kwame Charles , experienced driver and also Chief driver for Adansi North District in the Ashanti Region for their experience work and commitment in the District.

Hon.Kusi Kwaku Eric, noted, his presiding member is a unifier and has good working relationship with him because he carries people along and he is committed to duty and encouraged colleagues Chief Executives in the country to emulate him and work closely with their presiding members in the Country for the development of the Nation.

He is therefore grateful to both for their work that has brought him this far.

Hon.Kusi Kwaku Eric made this clear that the independence day celebration is the best day to honor them since their work to the development of Ghana is unprecedented.

They were presented with citation for their excellent work towards the development in the district.

Hon.Kusi Kwaku Eric,who is also the District Chief Executive for Adansi North made mentioned that the chief driver has drove him for the past five years and emphasized that he is very experienced and committed to duty.

Source: Ayisah Foster

Ghana To Support Saudi Arabia Host 2030 World Expo In Riyadh.

His Excellency President Akufo Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana has expressed the endorsement of his country towards the bid of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host Expo 2030.

He made this pronouncement during a meeting with His Excellency Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz Kattan, Advisor at the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who was in Ghana for a three-day visit.

During the courtesy call on the President at the Jubilee House, Mr. Ahmad Kattan conveyed to His Excellency President Akufo Addo and the people of Ghana the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense (may Allah preserve them both) and the good people of Saudi Arabia, as well as wish the country more progress and prosperity.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the bilateral relations between the two States and ways of improving it in all fields to meet the expectations of both nations. The meeting also discussed new regional and international events and other issues of mutual interest.
His Excellency Ahmad Kattan expressed his profound gratitude to His Excellency the President of the Republic for his outstanding reception and more particularly his pledge to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2030 Expo.

Expo 2030 is a proposed world's fair to be held in 2030. Russia, South Korea, Italy, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have submitted bids to hold the event. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has received several endorsements for its bid to host Expo 2030, with many countries in the African continent such as Djibouti, Zambia, Morocco and Mauritania pledging their support to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the bid in October of 2021.

In November, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation pledged its support for Saudi Arabia. The Republic of Ghana's pledge to support Saudi Arabia host this world's fair comes within the framework of the outstanding bilateral relations between the two states, especially with the later being Ghana's long standing bilateral partner in the Gulf region.