According to him, sustaining the policy was so crucial that risking the ire of Ghanaians by imposing a special tax to fund it will not be out of order.

[contextly_sidebar id=”94OPWudfATaQ8AZljgR0K0DYIwX2YfQW”]”We want to sustain the policy. The policy is at a cost to the state. If it means that at a point, some taxation should be imposed to sustain it, it wouldn’t be far-fetched. If I get any opportunity in government circles, I will suggest it,” the legislator said on Eyewitness News on Friday.

The implementation of the Free SHS policy has come under fire from members of the opposition who have pointed at the challenges faced by the government as a sign that the programme was ill-fated.

A former Deputy Education Minister and NDC MO for North Tongu, said the amount allocated for the policy in the 2018 budget, is woefully inadequate.

But Afenyo Markin believes that, with more investment needed in providing infrastructure for the schools across the country, funds accrued from a special tax for the Free SHS policy could complement the sector’s budgetary allocation.

“The focus now should be expanding infrastructure and making facilities available. And even if it means government taking the bold step to tax Ghanaians for the purpose of financing or making sufficient resources available for the sustenance of the Free SHS, that bold decision should be taken,” he said.

‘Pleased with voluntary fund’

The government announced that it would set up a fund to receive voluntary contributions from individuals to support the implementation of the free SHS programme and the educational sector as a whole.

However, this plan has been criticized by the Minority who believe this is an indication that government does not have the funds to properly implement its much-touted programme.

The Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the government cannot afford to rely on voluntary contributions to fund education, particularly free SHS, as projections for those funds may not materialize.

“No country runs public education on just voluntary funds. What if the Fund is not considered attractive and you don’t really get as much as you are expecting. We can’t leave the destiny of our children’s quality education to just a voluntary fund where we don’t really know the projections. You cannot just depend on voluntary funds, you can’t run education that way. You need a concrete plan and you need a well-defined funding source. It’s clear that government is struggling to fund it and struggling to identify a clear funding source,” he had said.

While acknowledging that the critics of the fund had a right to make their opinions heard, Afenyo-Markin noted that, other countries that had implemented free education successfully had received contributions from the general populace.

“I was pleased when the Finance Minister suggested that they had made available a fund where there could be voluntary funds. People have criticized it and it’s their right to do so. In other democracies that Free SHS seems to have been implemented, in a way, the citizens have made their contributions”

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to him, given the level of impact the policy had made on parents who have been relieved of the financial burden of their wards, any party that attempts to cancel the policy would face a backlash from the populace.

[contextly_sidebar id=”9MByvpWb6JAILKN12Kbt9CUBA9ip4R6E”]”It will be suicidal for any political party, winning power tomorrow, to attempt a form of repudiation abandoning this laudable initiative. Although people criticise the Free SHS, in reality they are benefitting,” Afenyo Markin said on Eyewitness News on Friday.

He was responding to concerns that had been raised that the policy could be scrapped should another political party come into power.

A Senior Law lecturer at the University of Ghana Law School, Dr. Raymond Atuguba, asked the Akufo-Addo government to pass a legislation making the Free Senior High School policy binding on future administrations.

“Let’s say that if NDC [National Democratic Congress] wins 2020 or 2024, you know they can cancel free SHS, you know that? What sense will that make? But right now without a binding national development plan, they can do that. With a binding national development plan, once you put in the plan that every government must work progressively towards free SHS, then no government can [scrap the policy].”

“…and we even added that before a government do that, a citizen can go to the supreme court and stop them,” the lecturer added.

However, Afenyo Markin, sought to calm these fears stating that “there’s a provision in the Constitution which guarantees free education for every citizen” suggesting that a specific legislation will not be necessary.

Politicizing education

This isn’t the first time there have been concerns about the possible politicisation of policies in the educational sector.

The NPP administration, under President John Kufuor, introduced the four-year Senior High School programme in 2007.

However, the NDC reverted to the 3-year system after it regained power in 2009.

However, the Akufo-Addo government has indicated it is considering extending the length of secondary education to four years again.

The Minister of Planning, Professor Gyan Baffour, in September 2017, said the government was monitoring the three-year SHS system to inform a possible review back to four years.

The implementation of the Free SHS policy has also come under fire from members of the opposition who have pointed at the challenges faced by the government as a sign that the programme was ill-fated.

The Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu said: “It is manifested gargantuan failure and our concerns are that we will not sit down for him to jeopardize our youngsters and the future of our country.”

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Scrapping Free SHS would be ‘politically suicidal’ – Afenyo Markin appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The losses incurred could be as high as GHc 9 million, according to the Ghana Water Company Board Chair, Alex Afenyo-Markin.

[contextly_sidebar id=”bzcqVVKHR1ft77CIxccoaCsfrmAoVRFI”]He noted on Eyewitness News that “the reality is that it [the desalination plant] is draining us financially and we are looking at it.”

“…the contention has been every month, we produce at the cost of GHc 11 million, and we generate revenues of GHc 2 million. There is a deficit and it has been so consistently.”

As far as the committee’s mandate is concerned, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said: “we would want to understand whether or not there are some internal issues that have caused this high cost of production or that the financial engineering was not properly situated.”

The Ghana Water Company buys water at about GHc 6.5 per cubic metre, but sells at the regulated rate of about GHc 1.5 per cubic meter.

Citi News’ checks indicated that, the Ghana Water Company makes payments of GHc 8 million a month to the financiers of the project, although it makes only GHc 2 million by supplying treated water from the plant.

The committee will peruse pertinent documents in a bid to properly assess the cost component and reconcile conflicting information.

“We need to get some documents. We have sighted some documents that says something and others saying another, so we have asked the sub-committee to look into the cost component and how a decision was arrived at when it was going to be a debt on the side of Ghana Water from the onset.”

So far, the Ghana Water Company has paid in excess of $36 million, which the company’s Board Chair said could have gone into other projects.

“In two weeks, there will be a report. We will take a firm decision, make the report public, engage on the outcome of our decision and I am sure we will be satisfied” he said.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin noted that, the Ghana Water Company was not singling out the Teshie Desalination project in its review of the company’s operations, and that “there other things on the table.”

“We are looking at how to do things that sustain the operations of Ghana Water without the government having to incur more debt in the supply and production of water,” he said.

Background

In April 2015, the $126 million plant was commissioned to process sea water into potable water for consumers in Teshie Nungua and surrounding areas.

It is estimated that it serves 500,000 people with an estimated 13 million gallons or 60,000 cubic meters of water per day.

In 2011, the Government awarded a contract to Befesa Desalination Development Ghana for the establishment of the treatment plant to produce clean water.

This public-private partnership arrangement will see a company, Abengoa, operate the plant for 25 years, and then transfer its management to GWCL.

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

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To make working with the company an attractive proposition, there was incentive offering medical coverage for retired employees till their death.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4OrKkuQnoYmrzgrKWmN4K5hqrdKT1MpW”]But after a meeting on Tuesday, where a number of reforms were agreed upon, the company’s Board Chair, Alex Afenyo-Markin, disclosed on Eyewitness News that, “what we realized is that same  [medical coverage] has become the subject of abuse.”

Thus he said the Ghana Water Company has “for the time suspended the payment of all claims and has tasked the management to do an analysis and revert to us in two weeks.”

Mr. Afenyo-Markin also revealed they have also cut ties with some suppliers because the board noted that the company was losing too much money to suppliers, thus, “Ghana Water cannot continue to finance the cost of service rendered by suppliers.”

As an example, he noted that “somebody is being awarded a contract to supply chemicals; the person does not have an entity registered locally, they give an agent who is representing it and playing a nominal role in the contract, issues of jurisdiction and where there is dispute, how do you serve a party [with a lawsuit] and all that. We cannot continue to do that. We have reviewed that” he noted.

When the members of the Ghana Water Company governing board were inaugurated, they pledged to end revenue leakages in the company’s operations, and Mr. Afenyo-Marking noted that, these moves were in line with that.

“We promised the President and Ghanaians that we would seal all loopholes and ensure that we get value for money so that the workers can be better off. Ghana Water must be profitable,” he stated.

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

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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

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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.

He singled out the Ghana Bauxite Company as operating outside the remit of the law at the Public Accounts Committee on Friday and later on Eyewitness News.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4sUShGEdciOYJBehdXSJ7h7XQZ3xI1Ou”]The Ghana Bauxite Company limited has been mining since 2001, Mr. Afenyo-Markin noted, but said he knew for a fact that “Ghana Bauxite Company’s agreement with government has never come to Parliament and they do not have the requisite documentation.”

“So if they, the EPA, want to apply the law and want to be fair, they should also stop Ghana Bauxite from operating. It is just a matter of equality before the law.”

The concerns with the EPA follow the clamp down on mining company, Exton Cubic Group Limited, culminating in the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, directing the company to discontinue exploration for bauxite in the Tano Offin Forest reserve because of an invalid mining leases.

Prior to this, the EPA had already indicated that Exton Cubic reneged on commitments to submit a liability estimate of environmental degradation, among others.

Questionable tax waiver

But Mr. Afenyo-Markin feels the EPA may be picking and choosing as he viewed Ghana Bauxite to be operating outside the remit of the law at its base in Awaso.

“In the case of Ghana Bauxite, they are not even paying taxes. They are relying on a supposed memorandum of understanding between them and government and we all know that when it comes to taxation, it is only Parliament that can waive.”

The MP raised this issue on the Floor of Parliament, and the matter was referred to the Finance Committee where Ghana Bauxite appeared and “conceded that indeed their agreement with Ghana has not come to Parliament.”

He stated further that, the concerns he was raising was “to point out to EPA that they must respect the constitution and their enabling acts and enforce the law.

“If you are saying that Exton Cubic has not met the necessary requirements, please apply same to all these mining companies so that you don’t g and act in a certain manner for the government to take the bashing as if it is political… EPA must be seen to be working and dealing with the law without fear, favor or looking at personalities in accordance with the constitution.”

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

The post EPA being selective in Exton Cubic saga; others are guilty – Afenyo-Markin appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Association, their members at the UEW campus who are currently on strike are being forced to work under what it described as “court imposed management.”

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, President of UTAG, Dr. Harry Agbenu said they will resist such attacks.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NikqGPAE9GOOzYauYqShyRpo56YgCt09″]“The situation that we are having now is that our members in Winneba are being forced to work under a court imposed management against the rule, against the status. And for us we consider that as an attack on academic freedom.”

“So our principle is that…once academic freedom which is the prerequisite for any serious academic work in any university or anywhere in the world is under attack, we as members of UTAG have vowed to ourselves that we will resist that; even if it is the court, presidency, or anybody, whether it is political or whatever, that is not what we are thinking about,” he added.

But the lawyer for the plaintiff in the case, Alex Afenyo Markin who earlier argued that the lecturers are in contempt of the court over their strike while speaking on Eyewitness News rejected claims that the court’s decision is an attack on academic freedom.

“If UTAG is so dissatisfied, they should file an appeal. Academia holds our conscience as a society. They must not do anything that would undermine judges. They talk about freedom; they must understand that judges have freedom. UTAG is acting in bad faith. UTAG is setting a bad example for society,”  Afenyo Markin who is also the Member of Parliament for Efutu added.

Background

A Winneba High court last week ordered the Vice Chancellor of UEW, Professor Mawutor Avokeh, to step aside until a case brought against him and the University’s Governing Council is determined.

The order also affected the institution’s Finance Officer.

The order was made in a case brought before the court by Supi Kofi Kwayera who insisted that the Vice Chancellor and the Finance Officer were operating under the institution’s defunct governing council.

The plaintiff adduced that the University’s Council’s mandate had expired in November 2013, but the Education Ministry failed to constitute a new Governing Council for the university, and rather allowed and permitted the defunct Governing Council which had no mandate whatsoever to continue the functions of a properly constituted Governing Council as if same had been properly constituted.

This, Mr. Kwayera insisted was unlawful, and hence his legal action against the University of Education, Winneba.

However, before the substantive claims were looked into, the University, through its lawyers, applied to the court to dismiss the suit on the three counts, but the application was dismissed.

The University’s branch of the University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (UTAG) also applied to join the application but it was turned down.

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

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The court order also affects the school’s Finance Officer.

The orders were part of the reliefs granted for the interlocutory injunction sought by the plaintiff, Supi Kofi Kwayera, in the case brought against the University which insisted that the Vice Chancellor and the Finance Officer were operating under the institution’s defunct governing council.

[contextly_sidebar id=”seuAO45wu1YYpO1hzpcCyyJLmqcQkATH”]The Court also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Ministry of Education to reconstitute the governing council of the University of Education, Winneba.

The Court presided over by His Lordship George Ato Mills-Graves awarded an amount of GHC4,000 against the university.

The Court thus ordered the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University, Rev Fr Afful-Broni, to act in the position of the VC, to allow the day-to-day administration of the institution to continue.

Lawyer for the plaintiff, Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markins, speaking to journalists after the hearing said the ruling will serve as a legal precedent for successive governments so they don’t delay the formation of governing boards for institutions.

“In future, governments would not unduly abdicate their responsibility in terms of what they are supposed to ensure it is done. Governing council for every public institution is key. I am happy that today, UTAG has found it feet to call on government to reconstitute governing councils with the view if this is not done, it will affect academic work. I agree with UTAG it’s all good for our rule of law, it is for us to develop our laws and it is nothing personal,” he added.

Background

In a 23rd May 2017 writ issued, the plaintiff [Supi Kwayera] adduced that the university’s council’s mandate had expired in November 2013, but the Education Ministry failed to constitute a new Governing Council for the university, and rather allowed and permitted the defunct Governing Council which had no mandate whatsoever to continue the functions of a properly constituted Governing Council as if same had been properly constituted.

This Mr. Kwayera insisted was unlawful, and hence his legal action against the University of Education, Winneba.

However, before the substantive claims were looked into, the University, through its counsel, applied to the court to dismiss the suit on the three counts, but the application was dismissed.

The University’s branch of the University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (UTAG) as a respondent subsequently applied to join the application.

In June this year, the plaintiff prayed the to effect an interlocutory injunction restraining the 1st Respondent, its assigns, agents, officers and all other persons acting through the 1st Respondent or claiming to be the lawful representatives of the 1st Respondent from authorizing any payment to any contractor or supplier whose contract is the subject matter of the substantive application before the court.

Again,the injunction was to restrain the 2nd Respondent from recognizing any supposed Principal Officer or any person whose mandate as an officer of the 1st Respondent emanated from the defunct Governing Council as the lawful representative(s) of the 1st Respondent until the final determination of the substantive application.

The injunction also sought to restrain the 1st Respondent and its lawful representatives from making any payment to Ghana Highway Authority or any third party entity including Larmas Construction (GH) Ltd in respect of a Memorandum of Understanding with Ghana Highway Authority for road maintenance until the final determination of the substantive application.

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By: Jospeh Ackon-Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to him, although EOCO has the power to look into such matters and make its report available to the Electoral Commissioner, it does not have the power to direct her on what do to.

[contextly_sidebar id=”V5yvMQl5vC6zZhvOAGpUXN6yPIqMvB75″]EOCO earlier this week said it was investigating some top officials of the Commission over the loss of some GHs480,000 from the Commission’s Endowment Fund.

The Commission’s Deputy Chairperson in-charge of Finance and Administration, Georgina Opoku Amankwah, Chief Accountant, Kwaku Owusu Agyei-Larbi and  Finance Officer, Joseph Kwaku Asamoah were said to have been identified by EOCO as the ‘suspects’.

A letter written to the Chair of the EC, Charlotte Osei, dated July 4th, 2017 from the Acting Executive Director of EOCO, ACP K. K Amoah(Rtd)  said ‘the suspects are assisting in investigations’.

The letter further stated that the officers in question should be made to proceed on leave, while investigations proceed.

Further checks however by Citi News reveal that the officials were on Wednesday directed to proceed on leave by the chairperson, Charlotte Osei.

But speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, Afenyo Markin said the decision to ask the suspects to proceed on leave must be grounded in law.

“EOCO has the mandate to investigate such issues. What I’m a bit worried about is the language of proceed on leave. If EOCO so desires to advise the EC that these people that we are investigating, we hold the view that their continues stay of the in office may undermine the outcome of the investigations, therefore interdict them, so be it. But if EOCO writes to tell Madam Chair to direct some people to proceed on leave.”

“She must not direct someone to proceed on leave because EOCO says so, EOCO should ground its reasons in law,” he said.

He, however, said the Electoral Commissioner can interdict the officers if she finds it necessary to do so in accordance with law.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to a press statement signed by the registrar of the school, all of its campuses will remain closed until Friday, June 16, 2017.

[contextly_sidebar id=”KRgj6Y6bRllU8Xkjjbaca9C0y2olEhop”]“In line with the decision of the court, the members of the University Community, comprising UTAG executives, Deans, Heads of Department, and representatives of Senior Members therefore decided to shut down the University until Friday, 16^th June, 2017 when the substantive case will be heard. The decision has arisen as a result of implementing the Judge’s directive that the Principal Officers of the University be restrained from working until Friday, 16^th June, 2017 and also the fact that other management members, Principals, Deans and Deputy Registrars were appointed by the Councils whose authority are being challenged,” the release said.

Campuses of the UEW affected by the closure are Winneba, Kumasi, Ajumako and Mampong-Ashanti.

A private citizen, Supi Kofi Kwayera, last month sued the University of Education Winneba (UEW), and the Education Ministry for what he said was the unlawful extension of the school’s Governing Council’s tenure.

In a writ sighted by Citi News, he also accused the Governing Council of misappropriating the funds of the University after the expiration of two tenures in 2013.

The suit comes months after the Member of Parliament for Effutu, Afenyo Markin, called for the immediate withdrawal of thousands of certificates issued by the University of Education, Winneba, since 2013.

The MP argued that, such certificates and degrees had been invalidated by the fact that an “illegal” University Council caused them to be issued without proper legal authority.

The plaintiff, represented by Member of Parliament for  Effutu Constituency, where the University is located, Afenyo-Markin, had his reliefs upheld by the court, pending the determination of the case on Friday.

The Ghanaian Citizen is seeking the following reliefs:

A declaration that the extension of the mandate of the Governing Council of the 1st Respondent by the 2nd respondent to stay in office to perform such functions as a properly appointed council was in breach of Section 8 Act 672.

A declaration that all decisions taken by the defacto body of persons who constituted themselves as Governing Council is null and void and of no effect.

A declaration that the contracts awarded to Sparkxx Gh Ltd, Paabadu Construction and C-Deck, were done in breach of the Procurement Act (Act 663).

A declaration that all payments made to Lamas Ltd were done without the express written consent of the Ghana Highway Authority, and in breach of the Memorandum of Understanding and same must be refunded.

A declaration that the illegally appointed Principal Officers of the 1st Respondent willfully misappropriated public funds by failing to put to public tender for the construction of the North campus road and thereby causing financial loss to the state.

The University says it has been served with the suit and will respond appropriately.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Court forces closure of University of Education campuses appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.