He has thus rendered another apology to them for the manner in which he accused them of corruption.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0uOcIqrYRB1Igq65VqhziDu4wuhe6WaJ”]A-Plus, in a Facebook Live post, said it had become clear to him that Abu Jinapor was not up to speed with affairs pertaining to the onsite banking services.

“…Abu, Asenso, you did not understand the issues per what Abu said on radio. I know that if you knew there is a government agency that can’t independently tell how much money it makes, you wouldn’t have supported this.”

After the initially ambiguous corruption allegations, it became clear A-Plus’ claims had to do with the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff putting pressure on the CEO of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Felix Anyah, to give back a revenue-collection contract to UniBank after the same contract had been terminated.

“Now that I have come to understand that Abu does not even understand the issue, I will go ahead, like I have said already, and apologize for how I put this whole thing out. Listening to him, he does not even understand.  People have lied to him.”

“…If he was being honest on radio, and I have the impression that he was being honest, and that is all that they told him, then they have deceived him,” A-Plus said.

Background

The onsite banking services at Korle Bu were needed to deal with the “chronic revenue leakages bedeviling the Hospital” which a number of banks had been unable to solve since 2008, a statement from the hospital explained.

Government directed that all public institutions should cede the collection of their revenue to selected banks.

In 2015, six banks were shortlisted to undergo a competitive selection process where Stanbic Bank emerged first and UniBank was fourth, the statement recounted, and “a decision was taken to select Stanbic Bank that was first and UniBank that was 4th to partition the collection of revenue in the hospital.”

But when the hospital submitted the names of the two banks to the Controller and Accountant General’s Department for approval, issues were raised about weaknesses in UniBank’s operations in two other hospitals.

The issues had to do with “reconciliation challenges, delays, non-provision of real-time access to relevant stakeholders.”

“In spite of the advice of the Controller and Accountant General’s Department, an MoU was signed, appointing UniBank to simultaneously collect revenue in the Hospital with Stanbic Bank with the provision that any party can terminate the MoU giving 90-days notice of termination.”

As the two banks started the onsite banking services, the leakages persisted and the hospital’s management decided to search for an End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software to integrate and network its operations.

Stanbic Bank and UniBank were both requested to submit proposals for an End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software in 2015.

Stanbic Bank successfully presented an efficient software, while UniBank failed to turn up during the two presentation sessions thus the hospital “awarded a contract to Stanbic Bank to pilot the new software in the entire hospital which is valued at USD240,000.”

The software if implemented is expected to simultaneously reduce revenue leakages and increase revenue.

“The Stanbic Bank approved End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software was obviously not compatible with the UniBank’s software. Management, therefore, decided to discontinue the MoU with UniBank in order to enable Stanbic Bank deploy the new software throughout the entire Hospital – covering areas where Stanbic and UniBank were collecting revenue. In view of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Korle Bu and the banks for the onsite banking services, in which either party can terminate the contract by giving a 90-day notice, a Management decision, a notice of termination was given to UniBank on 12th July 2017,” the statement explained.

But this was followed by the hospital rescinding the decision for reasons not disclosed in the statement.

–

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

The post Abu Jinapor, Asenso not corrupt, they were misled – A-Plus appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In a post on Facebook, the MP said Dr. Anyah was using Kwame Asare Obeng, also known as A-Plus, in a “cowardly attempt” to besmirch the two presidential staffers, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor, who were accused, and later cleared of corruption allegations.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Lt6AZxrirDXsXxGsVTzTUFB15qQHSoRh”]In a further warning to the two, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said: “A- plus and Dr. Anyaa of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital should know that they are walking on a slippery ice.”

The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital management’s decision to terminate a contract it had with UniBank for onsite banking services was followed by some intervention from the two staffers after a petition from UniBank.

The Hospital’s management has explained that there were compatibility issues with the End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software being used and UniBank, hence the termination which was later rescinded.

The involvement of the two staffers prompted A-Plus’ corruption allegations, which were later deemed to be baseless by the Police CID.

But Mr. Afenyo-Markin in his post held that “Dr. Anyaa is using A-plus to destroy the very government that has given both of them space in public life. What is “corruption” in a situation where a government official calls another official to express a concern on matters involving a fellow Ghanaian/a Ghanaian business entity? Why should Assenso and Jinapor be the target?”

He intimated further that some NPP youth were complicit in the saga.

“For those NPP youth who think they are so powerful, untouchable and indispensable, quietly using A-plus to destroy their fellow youth or watching passively unconcerned whiles one of their own is being destroyed, I leave them to posterity…..Time will tell…..its not by might….the battle is the Lord’s,” the post concluded.

Mr. Afenyo-Marking offered some words of encouragement to Francis Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor saying: “courage brothers, do not stumble, though your trials may be as dark as night, but there is always a star to guide the innocent…trust in God and he will deliver you.”

Find below the full post

What A-Plus and Dr Anyaa have forgotten is that we are of the same stock and sharers in the same hope. Dr. Anyaa is using A-plus to destroy the very government that has given both of them space in public life. What is “corruption” in a situation where a government official calls another  official to express a concern on matters involving a fellow Ghanaian/a Ghanaian business  entity? Why should Assenso and Jinapor be the target? Where did they go wrong? Why will A-Plus record a senior police officer in an attempt to bring down the entire police administration? What is this whole business about recording! recording! recording and contents being blown out of context? For those Npp youth who think they are so powerful, untouchable and indispensable, quietly using A-plus to destroy their fellow youth or watching passively unconcerned whiles one of their own is being destroyed, I leave them to posterity…..Time will tell…..its not by might….the battle is the lord’s…..In any event why is Unibank quiet? Why are media houses affiliated (kasapa fm, kasapafm online, starr fm, gh one tv,etc)  to Unibank making matters worse by carrying stories on this controversy when same is without merit? Why will kasapafm online host the so called leaked tape on its website? What is really going on? Its time for men of conscience in society to speak up against all forms of blackmail and character assassination. A cowardly attempt to deflate the ego of Assenso and Jinapor and to denigrate the honour of their high office…. Courage brothers, do not stumble though your trials may be as dark as night but there is always a star to guide the innocent…trust in God and he will deliver you.A- plus and Dr. Anyaa of Korle-bu teaching hospital should know that they are walking on a slippery ice.

He who seeks to destroy others for no just cause opens himself up for destruction…I rest my case

–

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

The post Korle Bu CEO using A-Plus against gov’t officials – Afenyo-Markin appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Azeem’s comment comes after the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, stated that A-Plus could not prove his corruption allegations against the Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye, and Abu Jinapor.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ZI1W3ofwQLVFqABHtn1dkx87scAKIcm2″]According to Mr. Azeem, A-Plus cannot go unpunished for making such allegations and failing to substantiate them.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, he said, “I think we cannot leave it there because we should not allow people to make unsubstantiated claims against individuals and then go free. There should be some action taken.”

Asked if the Police should take up the matter to prosecute A-Plus, he said, “I think so, if there is no basis for making the allegations.”

Vitus Azeem discounted the possibility of fewer people reporting corruption due to the fear of  prosecution if their claims are found to be unfounded.

He said, “…. Maybe it is just for some personal reason that is why you did it. If you cannot prove it, [you should be prosecuted]. It will not even help us at all in the fight against corruption,” he told Richard Sky.

The CID after completing its investigations into the allegations as directed by the President, said “the allegation of corruption was found to be baseless, unsubstantiated and without credibility.”

A-Plus took to Facebook last month to accuse President Akufo-Addo’s two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye, and Abu Jinapor of being corrupt, without giving reasons for the accusation.
Francis Asenso-Boakye subsequently rejected the claims describing it as baseless.

It later emerged that A-Plus’ allegation against the two individuals may be linked to his desire to get an extra contract aside a BOST deal he was given under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

After receiving some backlash from the public including some members of the government, A-Plus apologized to the President for his actions, admitting that he used the wrong platform to voice out his concerns.

Following a directive from the Office of the President to the CID to look into the matter and an invitation to A-Plus by the CID to provide details of his claims, the musician said in a later interview withdrew his allegations of corruption against the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff.

Meanwhile, the CID has said it is still investigating the claims of corruption made by the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong against the Minister for Communication, Ursula Owusu Ekuful.

–
By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Prosecute A-Plus for baseless corruption claims – Vitus Azeem appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A statement from the CID said: “the allegation of corruption was found to be baseless, unsubstantiated and without credibility.”

A-Plus, real name Kwame Asare Obeng, had taken to Facebook to accuse President Akufo-Addo’s two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor of being corrupt, without giving details to back his claim.

He also described the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff as thieves, although he retracted this particular allegation.

The CID revealed that A-Plus’ corruption allegations stemmed from Francis Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor’s involvement in the management of the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital.

He held that their involvement amounted to corruption, according to the CID statement.

Francis Asenso-Boakye subsequently rejected the unsubstantiated corruption claims made against him and Abu Jinapor.

The statement indicated that, the allegations had to do with a petition by Unibank Ghana Limited to the effect that the management of Korle-Bu had abrogated an existing MoU with them without any reason, and that Korle-Bu had treated them unfairly.

The two deputy Chiefs of Staff, among others, got involved to seek clarity from the hospital’s management regarding the said petition, according to the CID.

“Their [Francis Asenso-Boakye, and Abu Jinapor’s] intervention was transparent, borne out of the protection of the public interest and consistent with their duties as chiefs of staff,” the CID’s investigations concluded.

The CID took up the allegations because of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s directive to security agencies to invite anyone who makes allegations of corruption against his officials to provide evidence for the necessary investigations.

The other high-profile corruption allegations before the CID is from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, who is accusing the Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, of malfeasance in relation to a contract for the production of national identification cards.

Mrs.Owusu-Ekuful has denied the claims and challenged Kennedy Agyapong to provide evidence.

Kennedy Agyapong had claimed the minister disregarded a bid he had interest in for a contract to print NIA cards in favour of more expensive bidders who had paid her money.

–

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

The post A-Plus’ corruption allegations baseless – CID appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A-Plus, who had made corruption allegations against two presidential staffers, failed to appear before the CID because his lawyers were not available to accompany him.

[contextly_sidebar id=”GQN6nqOOyES7Kba1DsPOQe14BEqUrmZz”]According to him, although he wanted to honour the invitation without his lawyers, they insisted it would be appropriate he had legal representation at the meeting with the security officials.

Meanwhile, a new invitation letter the CID wrote to the musician and sighted by citifmonline.com said “it would greatly be appreciated if you could report to the Director-General/CID at the CID headquarters on Tuesday 5^th September 2017 at 10:00 am to assist in investigations.”

“The Financial Forensics Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service is investigating an allegation of corruption you made against the Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor on your Facebook page on 27^th August 2017,” the statement added.

A-Plus is being investigated for accusing two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye, and Abu Jinapor of being corrupt, without giving reasons for the accusation.

But Francis Asenso-Boakye subsequently rejected the claims describing it as baseless.

–

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

The post A-Plus to face CID on Tuesday after ‘swerving’ them appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Arhin said it was only fair the two be allowed to state their case, per the laws of natural justice.

[contextly_sidebar id=”lKiGOo7FWZqv3ngSa49bjI4CjR8Zpx2O”]“Definitely, the CID will obviously get in touch with them because I don’t think they can settle the matter based on one side’s story. Definitely, you need to find out what the other side’s story is all about and as state investigative bodies, they are in the best position to draw a conclusion and bring the recommendations…”

“You can’t prosecute a case based on what one side presents. You need to listen to the other side as well and from there, we can form our own conclusions,” he added.

These allegations of corruption came in the wake of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s directive to security agencies to investigate any corruption allegation against his officials.

The allegations came from Kwame Asare Obeng, also known as Kwame A-Plus, who himself has been invited for questioning by the CID.

A-Plus took to Facebook to describe the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff as thieves and called them stupid though he did not substantiate his claims.

The CID also invited the NPP Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, who had also made similar corruption allegations.

Francis Asenso-Boakye has already rejected the claims made against him and Abu Jinapor.

CID probe will settle case

At the end of these investigations, Mr. Arhin said he expected closure to be brought to the matter, one way or the other, and if the “claims of corruption are valid, then certainly, I am sure something will take place, i.e. prosecution or whatever the President will deem fit.”

“Whatever be the case, the President has made it clear that no allegation of corruption will be swept under the carpet. I am sure that everybody wants to find out the truth and get to get to the bottom of the situation. That is what this investigation is all about.”

Accused could sue

Mr. Arhin also indicated that, the accused parties could sue for defamation if the corruption claims were found to be baseless.

“If at the end of the day it is found that all these allegations were just completely baseless, I believe the people who have been accused of being corrupt have the right to take legal action against whoever it is that made those allegations because obviously, it is bordering on the lines of defamation.”

–

By: Sammi Wiafe/Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonoline.com/Ghana

The post Asenso, Jinapor must be given fair hearing – Eugene Arhin appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A-Plus, who claimed his contract had existed since May this year [2017] in a Citi News interview, said “as I speak, I’ve sent somebody who is on his way to deliver a letter to BOST to terminate the contract that we have to transport fuel around Ghana.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”Ns7FaPySZVjo9PWXb7shECNE60pr7yRb”]He said his decision to abrogate the contract was because of accusations that BOST has given him over GHc3 million for transporting fuel.

A-Plus, who insisted that BOST has not given him a pesewa, said some people are also slandering the president over the issue, adding that such claims are “not good for the President.”

“I want to put on record that BOST has not paid me any money, not even one Ghana cedis. It is not only that, but people want to bring the President’s name in saying that the President is giving huge monies to his friends and supporters and it is not good for the president. It is just wild allegations that A-plus is making three million cedis at BOST. It is laughable; it is not something that we should even go into,” he added.

The musician further defended his contract with BOST, saying that over 300 Ghanaian companies transact such businesses with BOST.

“There are over 300 transporters. I’m not sure that any of them were given the contract because of their relationship. I’m a Ghanaian, I am entitled to do business in this country,” he added.

CID invites A-Plus, Kennedy Agyapong over corruption claims

A-Plus’s action follows his invitation to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), to answer questions on his claim that the two Deputy Chief of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor are corrupt.

In a post on Facebook, he described the two as being “stupid” although he failed to explain their crime.

The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong has also been invited over the same issue after he on public radio said there are more corrupt officials in the Akufo-Addo government.

A-Plus has however apologized to the President for the method he used in attacking the presidential staffers.

“The approach was very wrong. I have apologized to the President especially,” he said in an earlier Citi News interview.

–

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

The post I’ll end my oil contract with BOST – A-Plus appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the budget includes monies to be used to undertake legacy projects that will be beneficial to Ghanaians.

[contextly_sidebar id=”aIXSmfM8U3hBHeehqht3LvBLYHtkUYKZ”]He said a part of the funds will be used to undertake social intervention projects and not just for merrymaking.

“The assumption that we are going to spend GH¢20 million on parties or eating and drinking is not true. That is not what the money will be entirely used for. I am a member of the legacy projects sub-committee, and we received a proposal from a young man who says that we should find a way to fund the psychiatric hospital as a legacy project for the 60^th anniversary. It is a proposal that we are discussing and in the end, we will have projects which will be out-doored and executed to commemorate the 60th-anniversary celebration,” Mr Jinapor said.

Government has come under heavy criticism over the GHs20 million budget it announced for the upcoming celebrations in March.

But according to Mr. Jinapor, the government has received positive feedback from the Ghanaian business community over their preparedness to sponsor the anniversary celebration.

“There are a lot of benefits that will accrue to them [private companies]. This is a national event, it is a Ghanaian enterprise so if a private entity supports a Ghanaian undertaking it has extraordinary benefits and those who are into marketing and understand the way these things work, will agree with me that there are extraordinary benefits that a company will accrue by supporting this venture. Since Thursday the President made the clarion call on corporate Ghana, we’ve had a lot of positive responses from government. I am very hopeful in the end we should be able to raise the needed funding to fund this anniversary without burdening the Ghanaian people in any way.”

President Akufo-Addo on Thursday revealed that, the estimated cost of the celebration will be GHc 20 million.

Speaking at a ceremony to launch the logo and theme of the anniversary celebration, he expressed hope that the cost of the celebration would be borne not only by the state, but also individual Ghanaians and private companies.

“This diamond jubilee commemoration is estimated to cost some GHc 20 million and I am hoping that individual Ghanaians, the Ghanaian private sector and corporate Ghana in particular, will provide the funds for this anniversary. My ambition is to commemorate this anniversary with minimum or no burden at all on the national treasury”

“I have instructed the planning committee to come up with a plan to develop significant projects that can stand as national monuments for his diamond Jubilee,” President Akufo-Addo said in his address.

The theme for the celebration is “Mobilising for Ghana’s Future”.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post We won’t spend Ghana@60 money on parties – Abu Jinapor appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Akufo-Addo on Wednesday in announcing his administrative staff named Mr. Jinapor and Francis Asenso-Boakye as deputies to the first female Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare.

He also made other appointments including his Secretary, Director of Operations, Director of Communications at the Presidency among others.

[contextly_sidebar id=”rXnCIeA3iZYtKe9ZtJaDvVDtLbd3mA8a”]An elated Jinapor while expressing his excitement over the appointment on the Point Blank segment on Eyewitness News, said he will discharge his duties as expected of him.

“…this is extraordinary confidence he’s reposed in me, it’s not a decision that is taken lightly so you dare not let the president down. I intend not to let his government down, I intend not to let the people of this country down, and for that matter not to let myself down. I intend to bring the best that anyone can on the table in this regard,” he added.

Some members of the New Patriotic Party, which will take over the administration of Ghana on January 7, 2016, took to social media to criticize Akufo-Addo’s decision to appoint Jinapor for such a position, prior to the official announcement.

But in his response, Mr. Jinapor said he takes such criticisms in good faith because it challenges him to even do better.

“There were those observations, apprehensions and criticisms; but this is the way I come to it; I think that everybody is entitled to their view in a democracy and therefore I respect the views expressed. We all cannot agree on a particular issue. The most important thing is that the President-elect had expressed enormous confidence in me and I’m very grateful.”

“There are many others who want the president to succeed and therefore they are allowed to have apprehensions and anxiety. I just take that as a challenge and the way I see it is to first of all not to let the president down,” Mr. Jinapor added.

About Jinapor

Samuel Abu Jinapor is 33 years old. He first graduated from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics.

He earned a Bachelor’s of Law from the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, in 2010, and was subsequently called to the Ghanaian Bar as a Solicitor and Barrister of the Supreme Court of Ghana in 2012.

In addition, Mr. Jinapor is expected to earn a Master’s Degree in Law (LLM) in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) from the Faculty of Law, University Of Ghana, in May, 2017.

He is a member of the reputable commercial and corporate law firm, Messrs. Kulendi @ Law. He has been since his undergraduate days, a close aide of the President-Elect.

He is married with one child.

–

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

The post I won’t let Akufo-Addo down – Abu Jinapor appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Nana Akufo-Addo made this announcement during an address at his residence today [Wednesday] where he also announced Francis Asenso-Boakye and Samuel Abu Jinapor will be the two deputies to the Chief of Staff.

Mrs. Osei-Opare becomes the first female Chief of Staff.

The Chief of Staff is primarily known as the coordinator of the supporting staff at the Presidency and the primary aide-de-camp of the President.

Mrs. Osei-Opare, a former Ayawaso West Wuogon Member of Parliament, is currently serving as a representative of the President-elect’s side on the transition team as the head of the Staff of the office of the President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo.

Mrs. Osei-Opare is a former lecturer and Head of the Department of Home Science at the University of Ghana and she has also served as the Country Director of Action Aid Ghana.

Ahead of the announcement, speculation was already rife that the President-elect’s choice would be Mrs. Osei-Opare whilst Abu Jinapor and Francis Asenso-Boakye had been projected to be her deputies.

Some NPP youth activists had kicked against the prospective appointment of Mr. Jinapor saying he was not deserving of the job because they claim he did not show enough commitment to the party after their defeat in the 2012 elections.

But some prominent personalities in the NPP including Nana Akomea and Gabby Asare Otchere Darko said the prospective choice of Mr. Jinapor as a deputy Chief of Staff was laudable.

Mr. Jinapor was called to the Bar in 2012 and is solicitor of the Supreme Court. As a newly enrolled lawyer, he had his pupillage with a reputable commercial and corporate law firm, Messrs. Kulendi at Law from October 2012 to August 2013.

He became a Campaign Aide to Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2007 NPP Presidential Primaries and held this position for both the 2008 and 2012 General Elections.

Francis Asenso-Boakye activity in the NPP goes back to his tertiary education days where he was among the founders of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He has been Political Assistant to Nana Akufo-Addo since 2008.

He is a development planning, project management, and policy specialist with over 15 years of wide-ranging professional experience in his field.

Prior to joining the staff and campaign of Nana Akufo-Addo, he held positions at the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare (MESW), Global Media Alliance (GMA), Delta Acquisitions and Development, Delaware, USA, Michigan House of Representatives, Michigan, USA, Ghana Free Zones Board (GFZB), and Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC).

–

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

The post Official: Nana Addo names Frema Osei-Opare as Chief of Staff appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.