The assailants also inflicted deep machete wounds on three other persons believed to be supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

[contextly_sidebar id=”9tdFPKcFADuOSYXmm4BaOXEdGhNDMe6u”]In an interview with Citi News, the Brong Ahafo Regional Police PRO, Chief Inspector Augustine Oppong, indicated that the Police are on the lookout for other suspects while the two undergo interrogation.

“Yesterday [Monday], we were able to arrest two people and they have been brought to the Regional Police Headquarters which is in Sunyani. We are taking their statements and if we realize that the evidence is cogent enough, we process them for court. If you look at the traces at the gate of the Minister, we can be sure that the people are more than five. As we have arrested two, we are also going to hunt for the rest.”

This is the second attack on Eric Opoku’s private residence after a similar attack in December 2017.

NPP condemns attack

The attack has been condemned by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency.

The party in a statement signed by the Communications Director of the NPP in the constituency, Nana Adusei Opoku, also urged the Police to bring the perpetrators to book regardless of their party affiliation.

“The NPP in Asunafo South does not support some of these things. In fact, we were the persons who spoke against some these obnoxious acts when we were in opposition,” he told Citi News.

“We solidarise with our MP even though he belongs to the other side of the political divide, we think that some of these things do not help the constituency to move forward. Crime has no color and you being an NPP member doesn’t exonerate you from the courts if you are found to be the culprit of a crime. So if it happens that some our members are behind this thing, the police should take over and the courts will deal with them,” Nana Adusei Opoku stressed.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Two arrested over attack on Eric Opoku, NDC members appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Under the agreement, Ghana will among other things host some US troops as well as give them free access to Ghana’s radio spectrum.

[contextly_sidebar id=”PQStOcRx8tLoDbohfnlUFaxqLl8Cky2C”]They will also be given unhindered access to some of the country’s key military installations, but many Ghanaians, including pressure groups, have kicked against it, arguing that given the clauses, Ghana would be indirectly selling its sovereignty to the US.

Both the Government and the US Embassy in Ghana have both attempted to provide some clarity on the matter, saying Ghana will not permanently host  the US troops.

Despite these explanations, opposition parties last week organised a protest against the deal, insisting on a change of some of the clauses which may infringe on Ghana’s sovereignty.

Thus, some Ghanaians have taken to Twitter to seek more answers from the US embassy account on the app.

Read the exchange below:

Twitter user, Salifu Saaka Mahamud asked, “The US Ambassador was asked this question of permanency stay of US troops in Ghana by Joy FM and many media outlets in Ghana and he could not tell how long they were going to stay in Ghana. So what are they talking about?”

In the Embassy’s response, it said,

Another Twitter user said,

“…Ghanaian Authorities don’t have any right to prosecute any US Military Officer if he or she commits a crime in Ghana. 4. Tax-free to import and export 5. They can use our radio spectrum for free 6. Ghanaian Authorities don’t have any right to inspect whatever they do in Ghana…”

The response of the Embassy was;

In response to Yao Noah Nash’s question, “Why is it in the agreement that things shipped to #Ghana can’t be checked and soldiers can’t check. Can we do that in [your] country?. Why ask for frequency if [you] are here for training of Ghanaian soldiers like [you] said. I smell [a] rat.”

The Embassy said:

“Import and export without inspection of our immigration officials. This is a total mockery of our immigration laws. Only God knows what they will import,” Kamassah Richlove tweeted at the Embassy.

For its response, the Embassy said:

The Embassy’s other responses to provide clarity on the agreement are as follows:

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ghanaians quiz US Embassy on Twitter over ‘military base’ deal appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In an open letter to the President, Mr. Ablakwa said the President’s silence on the matter was uncharacteristic of the man known to be very vocal.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Bimv3xDugUIvJnVEEqlC8mKQQbDK3Zo6″]“Respectfully, Mr President, you can therefore understand why most of us are extremely surprised at your sudden belief in silence. Your silence on the agreement issue is very much out of character, and we are sincerely befuddled. Everybody is saying this is not the man we have known from ‘titi [ since time immemorial]’.”

He said the President’s silence and the government’s attempts to divert attention from the matter with the “the high-handed and dramatic arrest of Koku Anyidoho and the change of name of the Flagstaff House to Jubilee House have so far not worked according to plan.”

In Mr. Ablakwa’s view, the president’s silence on the matter amounted to a dereliction of duty, and was also tarnishing his reputation as one of Africa’s most influential leaders.

“It’s a real tragedy that this singular agreement and US$20 million dollars threaten to destroy everything. A similar defence cooperation agreement between the Kenyan Government and the British Government which has gone viral on social media has deepened our woes, and Ghana, a country used to be the trailblazer and shining example for other African countries is now becoming an object of ridicule on the continent.”

The North Tongu MP thus dared the President to defend the agreement that was sparked by his discussion with US President Donald Trump, according to Paragraph 4 of the Preamble of the agreement.

“Is Mr. President not proud of his agreement and therefore not bold to man up and defend it with all your acclaimed reputation in advocacy? What did President Trump tell you in that “recent dialogue” that suddenly makes you so averse to listening to and speaking to your own people on this particular issue? What really is in this agreement for you, Mr. President? Is your silence borne out of an effort to hide something from Ghanaians?”

“It is for this reason, Mr. President, that a higher obligation is imposed on you to engage Ghanaians and take steps to renegotiate with the Americans those articles in the Agreement that the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians are affronted by, and compromises their sacred sovereignty,” Mr Ablakwa said in his letter.

Mr. Ablakwa’s full letter can be seen here

‘Controversial’ components

Parliament last month approved the Ghana-US Military cooperation agreement, which seeks to give US forces access to some critical national installations for their exclusive use.

The pact, which has sparked widespread controversy, was approved without the Minority in Parliament who were opposed to it.

Cabinet had agreed to provide the US’ military with a place near the Kotoka International Airport and also give them unhindered access to some key installations following a Memorandum of Understanding between the government of Ghana and the US government.

The MoU was laid before Parliament, recommending that the House ratify the agreement, but the opposition rejected it.

With the agreement was ratified, it meant that the US army will among other things would be exempted from paying taxes on equipment that are brought to Ghana as well as use Ghana’s radio spectrum for free.

Although many Ghanaians have expressed resentment over the clauses of the agreement, the Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, said the deal is in the best interest of Ghana.

The Government has consistently explained that it was only respecting the existing Status of Forces Agreement with the US signed since 1998 and reviewed in 2015, under the previous NDC administration.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Renegotiate US ‘military base’ deal – Ablakwa dares Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Winnie Mandela died on Monday after a long illness, which had seen her go in and out of hospital since the beginning of the year [2018].

Winnie Mandela and her former husband Nelson Mandela, who were both jailed, were a symbol of the country’s anti-apartheid struggle for three decades.

However, in later years, her reputation became tainted legally and politically.

President Akufo-Addo in a tribute posted on his Facebook wall said Winnie Mandela will forever be remembered for her pivotal role in the anti-apartheid struggle.

“I’m deeply saddened by the news of the death of Winnie Mandela. Her name will echo down the ages, and will forever be remembered as a freedom fighter and a fearless and remarkable woman. Rest in perfect peace “Mama Wetu.” You’ve earned it.”

‘Mother of the Nation’

Mrs. Madikizela-Mandela was born in 1936 in the Eastern Cape – then known as Transkei.

She was a trained social worker when she met her future husband in the 1950s. They went on to have two daughters together.

They were married for a total of 38 years, although for almost three decades of that time they were separated due to Mr. Mandela’s long imprisonment.

To her supporters, she became known affectionately as “Mother of the Nation.”

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By: Marian Ansah with files from BBC /citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Winnie Mandela was “fearless and remarkable” – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“Shame, shame, shame on anybody who thinks it should be Flagstaff house.”

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday reversed the name of the edifice at Kanda in Accra to Jubilee House, coinciding with his 74^th birthday celebration; a decision which has been criticized by the opposition National Democratic Congress and some members of the general public.

The NDC in a statement described the decision as a diversionary tactic from the Akufo-Addo administration to discourage Ghanaians from discussing the controversial defence cooperation agreement between Ghana and the US.

“…this renaming gimmick is intended to be a cheap diversionary tactic from the overwhelming demand from Ghanaians for President Akufo-Addo to stop mortgaging our sovereignty for a pittance,” the NDC added in the statement.

But Mr Agyarko, while speaking on Citi FM’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue on Saturday, insisted that the old name should not be brought back because it “is a colonial relic.”

“I am saying without equivocation that nobody births a baby and gives him a name and somebody comes to change it. If anybody thinks they want another name, they should build another one. Nothing stops us from having two presidential palaces. It is Jubilee House, and I think it should remain so,” he added.

President’s office was never Flagstaff House

The government has since explained that the name of the seat of government has never been “Flagstaff House.”

The Presidency in a statement said Flagstaff House was rather a separate residential building located at the seat of government.

“Flagstaff House is a separate property located on the premises of the Jubilee House… whereas there is no record evidencing the renaming of the seat of the Presidency as Flagstaff House by His Excellency Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the 3^rd President of the 4^th Republic, in purported exercise of his executive authority,” he said.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Agyarko ‘hoots at’ Ghanaians criticizing renaming of Flagstaff House appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The deceased persons were part of a youth fellowship team of fifteen people who went to the beach to pray on Good Friday.

The incident occurred after some of the team members decided to swim after their prayer session.

In an attempt to save their drowning friend, the two others also drowned.

Speaking to Citi News, a brother of one of the deceased, Kwame Mac-Joseph, said the absence of lifeguards at the Tawala beach is to blame for the deaths.

“In the course of the swimming, one person was drowning and the next person wanted to help and he got drowned. The third person who also wanted to help also got drowned.”

He said some of the onlookers were unwilling to help because they were not experienced enough in swimming, and were also terrified.

“There was no rescue team or indigenous people readily available to help. The onlookers were looking at this three gentlemen drowning.”

“We just received a call from the Labadi police that we should come to the police station, they’ve found two of the bodies and my brother was part of it. They also said one of them had a wedding ring on his finger. So two people have been found and it’s left with one person,” he added.

Stories of drowning are often reported during festive seasons when holidaymakers visit various beaches in their numbers.

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By: Naa Kwamah Siaw-Marfo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Easter celebrations: 3 drown at Tawala beach on Good Friday appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Although he described his detention as an “experience” Anyidoho said Ghanaians should allow the laws and security agencies to work without hindrances.

“I remain an unrepentant social democrat, I remain an unrepentant member of the NDC and I remain an unrepentant supporter of the progressives thinking and the progressive forces. Issues to do with what I was reported to have said that the police dutifully started investigating is within the law, let the law take its course,” he said.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7UV7cRCvTCt1qZBs6cvOvH4Sehrvz116″]Anyidoho made the comment on Citi FM’s current affairs and news analysis programme, The Big Issue on Saturday when the host asked whether he has repented after his experience during his detention.

He also indicated that the security agencies did not manhandle him as being speculated.

I’ve not been charged

The NDC Deputy General Secretary also rejected claims that he has been charged by the CID for treason.

According to him, the CID is still investigation his alleged crime and has not proffered any charges against him.

“I was only in custody and let the records state that I have not been charged. I won’t go into the legality of it but I have not been charged for any offence. The police are still investigating the matter,” he added.

Background

Mr. Anyidoho was picked up last Tuesday by the CID for allegedly making some claims on public radio which have been deemed as treasonable.

He had, in an interview on Accra-based Happy FM, indicated that President Akufo-Addo will be overthrown because of the ratification of the controversial defence cooperation agreement between Ghana and the US saying it could spark a “social revolution” in Ghana.

“There will be a civilian coup d’état. There will be a social revolution. We [NDC] are starting it on Wednesday. The movement is starting on Wednesday. Nana Addo will have sleepless nights. He will suffer diarrhea. He said he wanted to be president, but we will make sure he will be fed up on the seat,’’ he added.

Anyidoho has since been widely condemned for the comments.

He subsequently spent two nights at the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations after which the CID granted him bail on Friday.

Click below to listen to Anyidoho’s interview on the Big Issue: 

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post I remain an unrepentant social democrat – Anyidoho [Audio] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the CID is still investigating his alleged crime and has not proffered any charges against him.

“I was only in custody and let the records state that I have not been charged. I won’t go into the legality of it but I have not been charged with any offence. The police are still investigating the matter,” he added.

Mr. Anyidoho issued the disclaimer on Citi FM’s current affairs and news analysis programme, The Big Issue today, [Saturday], March 31, 2018.

[contextly_sidebar id=”6pnXcd2FHYhXht4TfDmjXb65c5k9UkME”]Mr. Anyidoho was picked up last Tuesday by the CID for allegedly making some claims on public radio which have been deemed as treasonable.

He had, in an interview on Accra-based Happy FM, indicated that President Akufo-Addo will be overthrown because of the ratification of the controversial defence cooperation agreement between Ghana and the US saying it could spark a “social revolution” in Ghana.

“There will be a civilian coup d’état. There will be a social revolution. We [NDC] are starting it on Wednesday. The movement is starting on Wednesday. Nana Addo will have sleepless nights. He will suffer diarrhoea. He said he wanted to be president, but we will make sure he will be fed up on the seat,’’ he added.

Anyidoho has since been widely condemned for the comments.

He subsequently spent two nights at the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations after which the CID granted him bail on Friday.

Speaking on the Big Issue, Koku Anyidoho blamed the media for misreporting the alleged charges proffered against him by the CID.

“[Whether] mainstream media, social media, let us be all measured in the things that we report. As I came out of detention yesterday, from Graphic, [there were headlines such as] Koku Anyidoho charged. Who charged Koku Anyidoho? It’s sad. Who charged who? Where is the charge?” he fumed.

My detention was an experience

Recounting his confinement at the BNI, he said he was not manhandled, and was not also put in handcuffs as being speculated.

Mr. Anyidoho also described it as an experience saying his respect for the security agencies had gone up because of the professional manner in which they dealt with the case.

“The state said I had to be detained and I was detained; and it allowed me as a politician to begin to accept and respect the police, BNI bigger than ever before.  Not that I ever disrespected them but now they have my greater respect.”

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post I’ve not been charged – Anyidoho insists  appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The District Director of Health, Abdul Aziz Abdulai, confirmed to Citi News that the two; James Yeboah, who is believed to have administered the injections and Simon Takeramah, the manager of the facility, are now assisting the police and the regional medical team to unravel the circumstances that led to the deaths.

“The persons who are said to have been given those injections have been handed over to the police. We looked at the criminal aspect of it for which then I needed to make a formal complaint to the police… statements were taken from them and they have been detained for further investigations,” he said.

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has said its preliminary investigations indicated that the deaths, which occurred after the administering of some injections, may have been caused by contaminated medication.

The deceased persons suffered adverse reactions described as injection site abscess, skin necrosis and ulcers leading to the deaths, the FDA said.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that these reactions may be due to contaminated 0.9% Normal Saline, the solution which was used to reconstitute (mix) the Benzathine Penicillin Powder for Injection. The 0.9% Normal Saline Solution was reported to have been opened and used repeatedly for several days which might have resulted in the contamination,” a statement from the FDA explained.

Since then, the District Health Directorate has ordered the centre to stop all injections at that facility until further notice.

Samples have been collected from the ulcers of the [deceased] patients for investigation at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical research.

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By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 2 arrested over deaths from injections at New Senchi appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, changing the name of the seat of government from Flagstaff House to Jubilee House, was equally important as it indicates the sovereignty of the country.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Cx3un4c2ecd4DwaOIvnPtSkSENVYuCwK”]The government has been criticized by a section of the public and some opposition parties over its decision on Thursday to rename the seat of government Jubilee House.

But according to the Minister of Information, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the Jubilee House identity is necessary for freeing Ghana from colonial heritage.

“Will you say let’s continue to live in the slave dungeon at the Christiansburg castle and that there are more important things for us to do than seeking to remove ourselves from our colonial heritage?…. Everything is important including who you are. Who you are is very important so naming this place as Jubilee House is very important in defining our identity as a free people. Everything rises and falls on identity. It is not true that is not important,” he said.

The seat of government was re-built in 2008 during the tenure of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) John Agyekum Kufuor.

The edifice which serves as the office for the president of Ghana was financed and constructed by the Indian government with $135 million in 2009.

After its construction, it was named the Golden Jubilee House when Ghana was celebrating 50 years since independence, until the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under the late President John Evans Atta-Mills, came into power in 2009.

Mills moved the office of the president back to the Osu Castle and later changed the sign in front of the building back to its original name, claiming that the previous government had not used a Legislative Instrument to effect the change as required by law.

He was criticized by many who said the name Flagstaff House, which was given to the building by the British Gold Coast government, glorifies Ghana’s colonial past.

Akufo-Addo gets $1m India money to renovate Jubilee House

The Indian government in August 2017 donated an amount of $1 million dollars to the Akufo-Addo government for the renovation of the edifice.

The donation was made by India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, M.J. Akbar who paid a courtesy call on President Nana Akufo-Addo on the occasion of India’s 70th independence anniversary.

Renaming a ‘diversionary tactic’

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has described the decision to change the name of the seat of government from Flagstaff House to Jubilee House as a diversionary tactic from the Akufo-Addo administration.

The NDC, in a statement, urged Ghanaians not to lose sight of the fight against the ratification of the controversial defence cooperation agreement between Ghana and the US.

The deal has had some Ghanaians expressing fears that the US Army has been granted permission to establish a military base, though both parties to the agreement have sought to dispell such concerns.

“…this renaming gimmick is intended to be a cheap diversionary tactic from the overwhelming demand from Ghanaians for President Akufo-Addo to stop mortgaging our sovereignty for a pittance,” the NDC stated.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Renaming Flagstaff House necessary – Gov’t appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.