The apology and retraction was contained in a letter signed by the diplomat and dated November 1, 2017.

[contextly_sidebar id=”IxkhVUx3MFCZRM4INKOfJ9HMmI8y3o4H”]“I have upon sober reflection, decided to retract the comments I made during my interaction with some Members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region over the weekend. I have realized that my statement is unfortunate and at variance with the letter and spirit of the Ghanaian constitution, and the dignified office of High Commissioner that I occupy. I am aware that as the representative of Ghana to South Africa, I have a responsibility to protect the interest of all Ghanaians within my jurisdiction and to grant them equal access to opportunities that are presented, irrespective of their political affiliation,” the statement said.

“I regret the effect of my speech delivered to the young party members which has generated public outcry. I therefore wish to retract my comments and render an unqualified apology to the presidency and all Ghanaians,” it added.

He’s a disgrace, sack him quick – Ghanaians bash Ayisi Boateng

Prior to the apology, there were reports he had been summoned at the Flagstaff over the faux pas,  since many Ghanaians have called for his dismissal over the comments largely considered divisive and irresponsible.

The diplomat, while addressing members of the Tertiary Students’ Confederacy Network (TESCON) in the Ashanti Region over the weekend, said his first priority is to members of the party, and that if he had his own way, members of TESCON will be prioritized for various jobs.

Mr. Boateng said he considers NPP members as more Ghanaian than others.

“…this government is doing its best to create job opportunities and me for instance, I told my people over there [that], it is because of NPP that I’m here, so the NPP man is my priority. I told them when NDC was in power it was Kwesi Ahwoi who was there, now we are in power, so Ayisi-Boateng is here with you. My topmost priority is the problems of an NPP person before any other Ghanaian, take it or leave it,” he said.

Ayisi Boateng must apologize or be sacked – OccupyGhana

Although many groups had called for his dismissal, pressure group Occupy Ghana, had in particular asked that he should be sacked only if he fails to apologize.

‘Your wife and kids must eat first’; I did no wrong – Ayisi Boateng

It must however be noted that, Mr. Ayisi Boateng called the bluff of Ghanaians after the massive criticism, insisting in an interview with Kumasi-based Abusua FM that he had said nothing wrong and that he would not apologize.

In that interview he said: “I didn’t speak evil at all… When you have a large family but you first make your wife and children eat first before others, what is wrong with that? I am not divisive. E.T Mensah is my senior colleague, when he came to South Africa, find out what I did for him. I have not said anything bad, I stand by my words.”

‘Maybe Ayisi Boateng spoke in context’ – Freddie Blay

Some key officials of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), particularly acting Chairman Freddie Blay, had suggested that Mr. Ayisi Boateng may have been taken out of context.

Ayisi’s comment suicidal; Nana Addo must act now – Minority

Prior to today’s apology, the Minority in Parliament turned the heat on President Nana Akufo-Addo to break his silence over the widely condemned partisan comment made by the High Commissioner.

According to the Minority, turning a blind eye on the issue will mean that Akufo-Addo endorses such comments which have been described as “bigotry.”

Show him the exit

The Minority in a statement said: “While Ayisi Boateng’s apparent suicidal mission in the face of overwhelming condemnation by decent minded Ghanaians has made him the ‘Chemical Ali’ of Ghana’s Diplomatic Service, the Minority in Parliament like most Ghanaians believe the ball is now squarely in the court of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to show this dangerous envoy the exit.”

The Minority further described Mr. Ayisi’s comments as “suicidal,” disgraceful and must be sacked immediately.

“It is generally understood that anything short of giving the disgraced High Commissioner to South Africa the sack by President Akufo-Addo can only mean that the President endorses his deplorable statements and perhaps explains Ayisi Boateng’s continuous show of rare spiteful bravado.”

The Minority in the statement also vowed to use every means possible to have their demands met.

“We will not relent in demanding action on this matter. We have considered our options under the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament, and can indicate our readiness to trigger further processes if Government inertia continues,” the statement added.

–

By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie & Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ayisi Boateng apologizes for partisan comments appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Bawku Central MP, who made the bribery claims, was found guilty of contempt of Parliament, following investigations by the committee which concluded that “Mr. Mahama Ayariga is in Contempt of Parliament on the strength of Article 122 of the 1992 Constitution, Section 32 of the Parliament Act, 1965 (Act 300) and Orders 28 and 30 (2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament.”

The committee, after rubbishing Mr. Ayariga’s bribery allegation, asked him to render an unqualified apology to purge himself of contempt.

But Mr. Ayariga who appeared unhappy with the work of the committee, reluctantly rendered the apology, saying : “Mr. Speaker, if you say I should apologize, I have apologized.”

Before this apology, he said the committee’s recommendations were problematic, especially when it failed to conduct due diligence by cross examining the “other sides” to arrive at a fair conclusion.

This is regardless of the fact that Mr. Ayariga and his other colleagues who made the allegation, failed to provide any hardcore evidence to support their claims.

He also questioned the powers of the committee to find him guilty of contempt.

“If you conclude that you want to use the criminal standards then you might as well have during the proceedings, used the criminal process, which is cross examining the other sides so that you can come to the conclusion that will enable you to exact criminal functions but you did not do that,” he queried.

The Committee also cleared Mr. Boakye Agyarko, the Energy Minister alleged to have paid the bribe of any wrongdoing. He was discharged together with Chairman of the Appointments Committee Joe Osei-Wusu and Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak.

The Speaker is expected to deliver his ruling tomorrow [Friday], on the recommendations of the committee.

He would decide whether or not Mr. Ayariga’s apology, which has already been condemned by some members would be accepted and the way forward.

The Bawku MP alleged that Boakye Agyarko, attempted to bribe the 10 minority members on the Appointments Committee with GHc 3,000 each to ensure the approval of his nomination as the Energy Minister.

Mr. Ayariga also said Mr. Osei-Owusu served as a courier for the bribe money, which was given to the Minority Chief Whip, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka for onward disbursement.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post ‘I apologise if you say I should’ – ‘Defiant’ Ayariga to Speaker appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Following the swearing-in of the President and his vice today [Saturday], January 7, social media has been awash with some quotes in Nana Addo’s speech, believed to have been lifted from speeches by two former American Presidents.

[contextly_sidebar id=”PPAfunbEoWIKLXen4kkNo34kWimVXj7y”]Some critics have described the act as plagiarism. But in a statement issued by the Director of Communications at the presidency on his Facebook page, Eugene Arhin said it was an oversight and not a deliberate act.

According to him, the President in his speech acknowledged every source of a quote he used, and thus this could not have been deliberate.

Mr. Arhin’s post read; “My attention has been drawn to references being made to a statement in the speech delivered by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at his swearing in on Saturday, January 7, 2017, which was not duly acknowledged.”

“I unreservedly apologize for the non-acknowledgement of this quote to the original author. It was a complete oversight, and never deliberate. It is insightful to note that in the same speech were quotes from Dr. J.B Danquah, Dr. K.A. Busia, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the Bible which were all duly attributed and acknowledged.”

In his speech that has widely been commended, the newly sworn in President quoted Thomas Woodrow Wilson, an American politician and academic who served as the 28th President of the United States from 1913 to 1921.

In a speech in 1913, Wilson said “We are bound by ideals that teach us what it means to be citizens. Every child must be taught these ideals. Every citizen must uphold them…. I ask you to be citizens. Citizens, not spectators. Citizens, not subjects. Responsible citizens building communities of service and a nation of character.”

The quote was repeated by President George Bush in 2001.

Whiles urging Ghanaians to be loyal citizens, President Akufo-Addo said, “I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens building your communities and our nation. Let us work until the work is done. Holy Scripture in Galatians 6:9 says “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
–
By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We’re sorry for not crediting some quotes in Nana Addo’s speech – Arhin appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Amidu, whose personal action got the Supreme Court to order Mr. Woyome to repay the amount, is back at the apex court, praying it to allow him examine him orally following the decision of the state to discontinue that process.

Mr. Amidu in his application to the Supreme Court alleged among other things that the Attorney-General withdrew her application to examine Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome because President Mahama personally gave an order.

[contextly_sidebar id=”q7bn7BLXT5xo4dFqQXVRnM3fX4Lqq1uD”]Mr. Amidu’s suit covers the Attorney-General, Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome, and Waterville Holdings (BVI) Ltd.

According to the man who earned the nickname citizen vigilante, this was done to protect some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as well as government officials who benefited from the amount.

But the AG in response to the application on Thursday stated in his affidavit that Mr. Amidu’s claim suggesting that President Mahama ordered the discontinuation of the oral examination of Mr. Woyome is false.

She said she will demand of the court to instruct Mr. Woyome to apologize for those comments.

“That the Plaintiff/Applicant ought to know that any deliberate deception of this Honourable Court on the part of a lawyer is professional misconduct by the rules of the Legal Profession. Furthermore, the Plaintiff/Applicant contrary to the Rules of Court deposes to the scandalous, offensive, malicious and deliberate falsehood without providing the sources of his information or belief. At the hearing of the Plaintiff/Applicant’s application I shall apply to the court to have these offending matters struck out of the Plaintiff/Applicant’s affidavit, and that he should be ordered to apologize for making these false allegations.”

The Attorney-General also questioned in her affidavit the right of Mr. Martin Amidu to orally interrogate Mr. Woyome in court.

“That paragraphs 12 and 13 of the affidavit in support are denied and the Plaintiff/Applicant is put to strict proof. The depositions contained therein are scandalous, offensive, malicious and deliberate falsehood by the Plaintiff/Applicant. Furthermore, the President never suggested, directed or instructed me to discontinue the request of this office to orally examine the judgment debtor.”

“That in response to paragraphs 15, 17 and 18, I state that it is arguable whether or not the Plaintiff/Applicant has a right to examine the 3rd Defendant. The order to enforce the Judgment was directed at the 1st Defendant and not the Plaintiff/Applicant. Even if the Plaintiff/Applicant did have this right, the facts relied on by the Plaintiff/Applicant to found this application are scandalous, offensive, malicious and deliberate falsehood and cannot be the basis for the grant of his application.”

Click here for the full AG’s affidavit

Background

Alfred Woyome was paid ¢51 million after he claimed that he helped Ghana to raise funds to construct stadia for purposes of hosting the CAN 2008 Nations Cup.

The Supreme Court in 2014 ordered Mr. Woyome to pay the amount, after Mr. Martin Amidu, challenged the legality of the judgment debt paid the businessman, Waterville, and Isofoton.

Following delays in retrieving the money, the Supreme Court judges unanimously granted the Attorney-General clearance to execute the court’s judgment ordering Mr. Woyome to refund the cash to the state.

Woyome prevents officials from valuing residence

Mr. Woyome in April 2016, prevented officials of the Attorney General’s Department and the Lands Commission from having access to his Kpehe residence for valuation.

The move was part of a directive from the Supreme Court to retrieve monies paid to him. But Woyome resisted the move, saying the planned valuation was illegal.

Mr. Woyome had earlier won the criminal prosecution that sought to imprison him for the offence.
–
By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Woyome cash: AG demands apology from Amidu over “false claims” appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

But admitting you are wrong and apologising to your boyfriend shows a lot of maturity, and it helps to soothe arguments and prevent them from getting too far out of hand. After all, we’re all the Kings and Queens of arguments when we’re in a relationship, but far too few of us are prepared to hold our hands up and defuse the situation by saying we’re sorry. If you want to apologise creatively to your boyfriend or husband, here are 10 top tips!

Ply him with food

You were wrong and you admit it. But now he’s in a huff because you’ve really upset him this time. Instead of talking to you, he’s playing on his Xbox and has told you not to disturb him until he’s killed all the zombies.

The only way you’re going to be able to say sorry to him this time is by aiming for his stomach with some delightful food. Cooking him his favourite dish is a really cute way to say sorry. You could even put the icing on the cake by making him a fab desert, too.

Write a funny poem

This is another great tip on how to apologize to your boyfriend. It doesn’t even matter if he’s not the literary type because you’re not trying to be Shakespeare here. It doesn’t even matter if you’re not the literary type because the aim of the game is to win back his affection with a funny poem that expresses your admission of guilt.

How about, um, Atari?

You’re on your own. Sorry. Hey, it was you that did wrong in the first place!

Attack him playfully

You’ve said you’re sorry but he’s still not having it. He’s refusing to accept your apology and he still isn’t talking to you. You’ve really hurt his feeling this time and it looks as though you might have to give him a week to cool off.

Or, you could play-attack him. You know, hug him until he relents. Or kiss him until he gives in and accepts your apology.

If none of that works, try tickling him to death as you say, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” while he fights for his breath and wishes all this would just end.

Create a photo collage of you both

Another tip on how to apologize to your boyfriend is to gather together some of your old photos together (this might also involve printing some off) and then put them together on a piece of card before framing and hanging on your wall.

Don’t forget to write “I’m Sorry” at the top of the piece of card!

Then, when he returns home from work he won’t be able to do anything else but smile and welcome you into his arms.

Use your puppy dog eyes

Okay, it’s time to get your best puppy dog eyes. You know, the eyes you used when you were a kid to get something out of your parents. Yes, those ones! This is one of the most popular tips on how to apologize to your boyfriend.

It’s really hard for any man not to look into his partners puppy eyes as she’s saying sorry to him and still refuse to accept the apology. You’ll melt his heart with those puppies and he won’t just be accepting your apology – he’ll also be making you dinner, buying you flowers and taking you on a weekend getaway. He just can’t bear the thought that saying sorry made you so sad ?

Make him breakfast in bed

The best way to a man’s heart is via his stomach, so why not make him a healthy, nutritious breakfast that perks him up before work in the morning?

Wake up early to put together his favourite foods and he’ll soon realise how sorry you are.

Use the internet

A really creative way of saying sorry is by using the Internet. Instead of apologising face-to-face like your parents had to do, why not make good use of a 20th century invention?

You could make a fun video on YouTube that explains your mistakes before going into detail about everything you love about him.

You could write a blog post that does the same, only this time you bullet-list everything you love about your man.

You could create a humorous meme, or you could even make a piece of music if you’re up to it.

Buy an “I’m Sorry T-Shirt”

Another tip on how to apologize to your boyfriend is to buy An “I’m Sorry T-Shirt”.

Yup, why not buy a tee that says “I’m Sorry” on the front and wear it around him all day?

You could clean in it, cook in it, watch TV in it. He’ll eventually get the picture, of course, and he’ll find it really funny and cute even if he won’t admit this at first.

To test how sorry you really are, he might ask you to wear the t-shirt outside, too. You’ll just have to suck it up and if he wants you both to pop round his parents, that’s just what you’ve got to do.

Write “I’m Sorry” everywhere

Buy some stick-it notes and then write “I’m sorry” on as many as you want.

Then, head around the house sticking them everywhere. You can pop one on the fridge, inside the oven, on the shower head, on his pillow, and even on your belly.

He’ll admire your work ethic and you’ll soon be putty in his hands again. And that thing you did? He’s forgotten all about that now.

Write it down on a chalkboard

Our final tip on how to apologize to your boyfriend is to buy a small chalkboard and write “I’m sorry, can we just erase everything that happened?” on it.

Remember to leave the eraser next to the board so that they can erase the words themselves. Cute!

How to apologize to your boyfriend? What are your best tips?

–

Source: Beauty and Tips

The post Ten creative tips on how to apologize to your boyfriend appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Midfielder Lampard, 36, will join City on a six-month loan deal from Major League Soccer franchise New York City – one of three clubs affiliated to the Premier League champions.

Last season, City received sanctions on their squad after breaching Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations.

“Is it a way to get around the fair play? I don’t know,” said Wenger.

“It looks like all of these ‘City’ clubs will feed the main club Manchester City – I heard they want to buy five clubs all over the world.

“I don’t know the rules well enough, but they bought a franchise for £59.4m to play in the States next season.”

City have been restricted to a 21-man Champions League squad this year – with eight home-grown players required in their Premier League squad.

“At the moment the players they sign cannot play until next year so they will register them in the other clubs and can get out on loan,” added Wenger, who ruled out Arsenal employing similar methods in the future.

“We are happy to dedicate the money to just run our club – there is not a lot of surplus to run other clubs, ” he said.

–

Source: BBC Sport

The post Arsene Wenger queries Man City Frank Lampard deal appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Lampard was released by Chelsea this summer after 13 years at Stamford Bridge, his 211 goals in 649 matches making him the club’s record scorer.

The 36-year-old signed for New York City last month on a two-year contract.

The Major League Soccer franchise is owned by Manchester City and baseball giants New York Yankees, but the team’s season does not start until March 2015.

Manchester City declined to comment, but Lampard could be at their Carrington training ground as early as next week for manager Manuel Pellegrini to monitor his fitness.

The loan deal is likely to run until mid-January, and City plan to register the England international for both their Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

Manchester City won their second Premier League title in three years last season, with Chelsea finishing third.

The two sides meet at Etihad Stadium on 21 September.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, Lampard was Chelsea’s vice-captain and won the Premier League title three times and the Champions League and Europa League once apiece.

The former West Ham player also helped the Blues win four FA Cups and the League Cup twice.

On signing for New York City FC, Lampard said: “New York ticks all the right boxes for me. It’s very exciting.”

Former Spain striker David Villa, 32, has also joined the MLS franchise, though he will spend three months on loan at Melbourne FC, Manchester City’s Australian partner club.

Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano said: “One of the reasons David Villa and Frank Lampard decided to come to New York is because they know who manages and who owns the club.”

Lampard, who won his 106th England cap during the World Cup in Brazil, said he would make a decision on his international career once his club future was finalised.

At his official New York unveiling, Lampard said: “I’m going to keep fit, that’s the main thing. How I do that is not clear yet.

“I’m going to sit round with people at the club and sort that out.”

A number of MLS players have spent the US close-season on loan to Premier League clubs, including Clint Dempsey at Fulham, Landon Donovan at Everton, Robbie Keane at Aston Villa and Thierry Henry at Arsenal.

–

Source: BBC Sport

The post Man City set to sign Frank Lampard on loan appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.