Deputy Attorney General, Joseph Kpemka who disclosed this on Point Plank on Eyewitness News on Thursday said the Akufo-Addo government is building cases against such officials and will put them before court in October.

Zero tolerance for corruption

[contextly_sidebar id=”dW7VuHVuGkTjeoyRbRwiRf26c31NYXLP”]President Akufo-Addo prior to the election promised to fight corruption when elected into office and also promised to set up a Special Prosecutor office to deal with such cases.

But even before the Special Prosecutor Bill could be passed into law, Mr. Kpemka said “by October when we start moving to court with some of the cases, Ghanaians will know that we are serious and we are ready to fight corruption as a canker in this country and uproot it once and for all.”

We’ll thread cautiously

Although he failed to mention names of persons who are likely to be prosecuted, Mr. Kpemka said his outfit will thread cautiously “with utmost circumspection taking into consideration the rights of the individuals involved.”

“You don’t go to court unprepared because there is pressure for you to go to court otherwise in the end you will embarrass yourself and we are not prepared in the least to embarrass ourselves in any court in Ghana. The courts are on a legal vacation and will be resuming in October by which time things will be ready and we will proceed to court. However I am unable to mention specific cases that are ready for prosecution and will be taken to court for very good reasons, when we get to the bridge we will cross,” he added.

The Deputy Minister said there are several investigations  and analysis currently being done by the government and  various security agencies including the BNI and EOCO to build solid cases.

Heartbreaking corruption cases

According to him claims against some potential corrupt officials who will be prosecuted are very heartbreaking.

“We’ve invited several persons who have been interrogated by Police, EOCO, BNI and other state agencies acting with one another to ensure a very holistic investigation that will uncover the rot to the court. Some of the facts, when you read them out and you don’t have the heart you will not be able to stand it, because the actions and conducts of certain persons are so bad that you will get very angry to the core upon the first hearing of the facts alleged against such persons,” he added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Prosecutions of corrupt officials to begin in October – Deputy AG appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This represents only 17% of the total list announced by the Minister for Local Government, Hajia Alima Mahama in Accra today [Wednesday].

The Brong Ahafo Region had the most number of women appointees followed by the Greater Accra Region, with 6 and 5 women respectively to occupy the position.

President Akufo-Addo ahead of his election to office, gave assurances that he would appoint more female appointees to serve in his government as a way of encouraging women participation in the governance process.

His New Patriotic Party (NPP) election 2016 manifesto promised to appoint at least thirty percent (30%) of women into public office positions.

Out of the 37 substantive and regional ministers named by the President, only 10 of them, representing 27% females.

See the breakdown of the list of women appointed as MMDCEs below:

Ashanti region

Martina Appiah-Nyantakyi       – Ahafo Ano North

Beatrice Serwah Derkyi              – Ejisu-Juaben

Mary Boatemaa Marfo                – Sekyere East

Catherine Reckling                     – Sekyere South

Brong-Ahafo region

Mary Okone                                  – Banda

Mary Ameyaa                               – Dormaa West

Gifty Akosa Arthur                      – Nkoranza North

Diana Attaa-Kusiwaa                  – Nkoranza South

Evelyn Ama Kum-Richardson  – Sunyani East

Charity Foriwaa Dwommoh      – Tain

Central region

Felicia Aba Hagan                      – Abura/Asebu/Kwamankese

Justina Marigold Assan            – Agona West

Eastern region

Florence Governor                     –  Ayensuano

Comfort Asante                          – New Juaben

Margaret Darko                         – Suhum

Greater Accra region

Sarah Dugbakie Pobee                 – Ada East

Janet Tulasu Mensah                   – Ga East

Gladys Mann Dedey                     – La Dade Kotopon

Jennifer Dede Afagbedzi             – La Nkwantanang Madina

Adjeley Twum Gyamrah             – Ledzokuku-Kwowor

Northern region

Alele Veronica Heming                – Bole

Mariama Iddrisu                         – Sagnarigu

Hajia Ayishetu Seidu                   – Savelugu-Nanton

Hajia Amama Ayibu                    – Tolon

Upper East region

Victoria Ayamba                         – Bawku East

Agnes Anamoo                           – Nabdam

Zubeiru Abdulair                       – Pusiga

Upper West region

Nadi Sanda Imoro                      – Daffiama Bussie Issa

Katherine Lankono                     – Nadowli

Christine Bonbbanye-Amadu       – Jirapa

Volta region

Josephine Ohene Boateng            – Adaklu

Millicent Kabuki Carboo               – Biakoye

Ella Boateng                                     – South Dayi

Western region         

Henrietta Mary Eyison                – Ahanta West

Martha Kwayie Manu                  – Juaboso

Helena Appiah                              – Wasa Amenfi West

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Akufo-Addo names 36 women out of 216 for MMDCE positions appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, it is within the president’s constitutional mandate to appoint as many ministers as he wishes, hence he must be allowed to do so.

[contextly_sidebar id=”HZWSlOklN0r2WSRl3ERrSEsPJn77r3TT”]Fritz Baffour’s comment is contrary to the views of other members of the NDC who believe that Akufo-Addo’s government size was a recipe for disaster for the country.

Ghanaians have expressed varied opinions on Akufo-Addo’s appointment of a hundred and ten (110) ministers – including deputies, to serve in his government.

The number is the highest in the country’s history, surpassing the immediate past John Mahama government by more than 20 appointees.

Many have criticized Akufo-Addo over the development which they say appears to be a betrayal of trust following pre-election assurances from Akufo-Addo that he will ensure a prudent and efficient government.

But according to the former Ablekuma South legislator, it is too early for Ghanaians to criticize the President on the development. He said it is more appropriate to measure the government’s success in honoring its promises rather than judging it by the number of ministers.

“The thing is that, we have a constitution and our politics is ruled by our constitution, and if the president decides that it is within the bound of the constitution to appoint many ministers, that is up to him; but the thing is that, it is within his constitutional mandate so there is nothing wrong with that. If you have a very large government, a large number of appointees and you don’t deliver, then you are in trouble and that is what I am seeing.”

“The noise is in retrospect rather than looking at the future. Those who are looking at the future, it hasn’t happened yet. The president’s agenda, he is going to pursue a certain agenda, and he believes that these are the personnel, and this is the way he is going to go about it, it is up to president, Nana Akufo-Addo to pursue his agenda with this team, and let’s see that he does it well. We are waiting for change, we are waiting for the transformation he promised and I don’t think that waiting for it, is about now,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information, Mustapha Hamid, has rejected claims that a large number of ministers to serve in the government will burden the state coffers.

According to him, it would rather help protect the coffers.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, he said, “…If you need more hands to ensure that we are protecting bigger money, you might do so because it’s better…We all agree that we ought to find ways of protecting the public purse and everybody agrees that in Africa the biggest problem that we face as a continent is not because we don’t have resources, often times it’s because of corruption. We lose a lot of money to corruption. And we all agree again that the biggest spot of our loss of money is through dubious procurement practices.”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Nothing wrong with Nana Addo’s 110 ministers – Fritz Baffour appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Bukari bemoaned the existing the land acquisition and land tenure system in the region, adding that, if the current system is not checked, investors will not be attracted to invest in the region, and government may not be able to undertake development projects there.

Speaking to Citi News in the regional capital, Bolgatanaga, Mr. Bukari said, though the region is well-positioned to benefit from numerous developmental projects and investments, the problem of land acquisition is deterring investors from the region.”

“There is a big problem with land acquisition in the Upper East Region especially in Bolgatanga, the land tenure system is just terrible. We want to put up passport office, some banks want to open their branches in the region, we want to build a regional prison, so many departments want to put up structures here, but lands for these projects  have become a problem,” he said.

“This is where I am finding it difficult to be comfortable because the projects and investors I want to bring to the region when they come and there is no land for them, they pass to other regions. I can’t sleep well because of the way land acquisition is being managed in the region, it is harming us as a region and we shall lose a lot of projects if we don’t give in. But if landowners and traditional leaders agree, at least we have to demolish some structures to pave way for other developmental projects that will benefit us in the future,” he said.

He hinted that, government will soon commence the implementation of the notable ‘One Village One Dam’ and ‘One District One Factory’ policy programmes, which require more lands, and called for dialogue with all stakeholders in the acquisition of land for the development of the region.

Mr. Bukari said a committee will soon be put in place to liaise with landowners and the ‘Tindanas’ to understand why they should willingly give out lands for developmental projects, adding that they will be compensated.

He added that, the committee will also work to map up measures with key stakeholders to solve land acquisition problems.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post U/East Minister urges residents to release land for dev’t projects appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is his first official trip outside the country since his inauguration on January 7, 2017.

The France-Africa summit is aimed at enhancing the integration process, collective action and cooperation for the common good of participating countries and their peoples. will bring together Heads of state and Governments from some 30 countries.

It will bring together Heads of state and Governments from some 30 countries.

Akufo-Addo, who was in the company of his wife, Rebecca Akufo-Addo was received by his Malian counterpart, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

He was also welcomed by some Ghanaians in the country whom he briefly addressed.

Nana Akufo-Addo who left Accra for the Summit on Friday, 13th January, 2017 will return to the country on Saturday, January 14.

The two leaders will also discuss recent happenings in The Gambia and proffer possible solutions.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Akufo-Addo arrives in Mali for France-Africa summit [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He must immediately sack appointees who do not deliver on their mandates.

The Head of the State Enterprises Commission, Dr Kaminta Baizie gave the advice in an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday.

According to him, Akufo-Addo must demonstrate that he is greatly expectant of results from his appointees and will not tolerate laziness.

Dr Baizie said, “He [Akufo-Addo] should not be afraid to fire and as far as I am concerned, he has to be ruthless. Anybody who is seen not to be delivering should move and let somebody else come in.”

“If he doesn’t show that leadership… that he is willing to fire at the least opportunity, there will be laxation in the system and the wheels of change will slow down. This is not the time that he wants the slowdown in the system,” he added.

The last three days have seen the President appoint some 36 ministers to work in his administration and this has generated calls for the government to hit the ground running in order to meet the high expectations of Ghanaians.

Nana Akufo-Addo has given indications all his appointees are up to the task and will deliver on all the promises his party made to Ghanaians during the election 2016 campaign period.

Although the appointees are yet to be vetted by parliament to receive their approval, some have expressed their optimism at effectively serving in their respective portfolios.

‘Parliament forms committee to vet Akufo-Addo’s ministers’ 

Parliament before rising for a 2-week break on Wednesday has constituted a 26-member Appointments Committee known as the Vetting Committee that will be tasked to vet the nominees for various ministerial portfolios from the Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo Addo. It is chaired by Joseph Osei-Owusu, MP for Bekwai and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Haruna Iddrisu, Minority Leader and MP for Tamale South as ranking member. – See more

The committee is jointly chaired by Joseph Osei-Owusu, MP for Bekwai and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Haruna Iddrisu, Minority Leader and MP for Tamale South as ranking member.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Nana Addo must fire non-performing appointees – Kaminta Baizie appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

They have also said the government must commit to the various promises they made to Ghanaians during the campaign period.

The Director of Communications for the convention People’s Party (CPP), Abdul Rauf Kadiri, told Citi News the NPP needs to devise creative steps to help address unemployment.

“We expect that the New Patriotic Party will put together the team that has the requisite mindset and skills to be able to deliver our country on a new platform for development. The NPP made a number of promises, some of which were deemed ambitious; but we think that everything that the NPP uttered is something that can be realized on condition that they are committed to it.”

“We also look forward to seeing the NPP bring out practical steps, clear frameworks that will ensure the realization of these promises. We would also expect that within the shortest possible time, the NPP comes up with very creative ideas that will lead to job creation for the youth of the country.”

The General Secretary of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Mohammed Frimpong, also called on the government deal with corruption drastically.

He said the party expects Akufo-Addo to quickly finalize all transitional arrangements and start work on improving the lives of Ghanaians.

“The new administration needs to consolidate all the transitional arrangements to make sure that whatever has come into the hands of the President by way of transition, is confirmed or proven to be just as they should be. We would expect the new administration to ensure that nothing distracts his attention from hitting the ground running.”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Parties urge Nana Addo to prioritize tackling economic challenges appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

I trust that you are gloating in this long-awaited electoral victory. It is your right. You worked for it and duly deserve to celebrate; nobody will hold that back from you. But just some few lines for you to consider as you look forward to “positions” in the government; be they at the office of the presidency or ministries, etc. I believe you are aware of the BABIES WITH SHARP TEETH in the soon to be gone administration, whose back I personally cannot wait to see melt into oblivion. Their presence was a huge burden. They ripped into every person, mostly our elders who disagreed with them. Their politics was vile! Eiish!

They were not only caustic and corrosive in their attacks, but left deep scars in the heart of their victims. These were guys our taxes paid. We gave them everything but what did they do? They insulted our fathers and mothers, uncles and anyone within reach who disagreed with them. Their attitude and actions were like the executioner at a palace during the 18 centuries. They had no mercy on those they were asked to execute.

You know them, heard them, and saw what they did to us. I want to believe that those of you coming will not follow that path. Make sure you leave the arrogance and pomposity in your bedroom, come with a humane image. Even if you don’t have one, begin to soak yourself in that frame. Be slow to anger, reflect before you respond. Hold back your fire, even if you are the victim that has been provoked. You are not a superman so some few slips may happen, but, please, apologize and move on. Don’t hold your ground, let it go.

We SHALL not tolerate ANYONE who shows up with not only sharp teeth but one that is fit for the wheels of a Tarkwa to Nsawama bound train. That will be resisted with incessant name calling and shaming. The Yentie Obiaa elements should remember we are still HERE! We shall support you to meet the aspiration of all of us, including Adoley and her friends. What we shall not tolerate is disrespect and insult of our ELDERS.

The Yentie Obiaa elements should remember we are still HERE! We shall support you to meet the aspiration of all of us, including Adoley and her friends. What we shall not tolerate is disrespect and insult of our ELDERS.

Like I said, refrain from bastardising the elderly in society. They may not always agree with your position- but you have to respect their opinion. It is fair to disagree with them but do so in the most civilised manner.

The image of the youth has been heavily dented by most of these “Assase Aban” boys and girls in the soon to be gone administration, whose image did not reflect the personality of their leader, John Mahama. Let’s show to the rest of the world young people are capable of being given leadership positions in government and when that happens, they hold their own with distinction. They run their offices with respect, not ARROGANCE.

Also remember not everyone who phones you is in desperate need of help or anything. Not everyone who sends you an email is in desperate need of money. I am not saying spend all your time responding to emails, phone calls or anything, NEVER. All am saying is don’t shell yourself away from us, be accessible.

It’s my prayer that you will not disappoint your COUNTRY and the teeming youth of this country who are looking up to you to help the elected president fulfil his campaign promises to the people

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By: Anny Osabutey

The post A letter to babies in Akufo-Addo’s government appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.