The Municipal Chief Executive, Albert Boakye Okyere, told Citi News in an interview that the measure will help address the surge in crime.

“We don’t want them to operate within that zone, and more so we have told them that no motor operations will be allowed after 11:00pm every day. After 11:00pm, we will not allow any motorbike to operate within the municipality. If it is a private motorbike you have to prove to the police. We have as well discussed with them how jointly we can be watchmen of our own communities in order to curb robberies,” he said.

[contextly_sidebar id=”uO5n4rpetc81RUsZB4oD3suYbOkxh8yg”]He explained that the directive is to among other things control such operations which he said was illegal in the country.

“The okada operation itself has its own issue of not being a legal business practice, yet this is where we find ourselves. So we think we should put some control measures in place. They can be anywhere, but these very areas that we have found them to be very congested.”

Per Ghana’s laws, the use of motorbike for commercial purposes is illegal.

Despite the criminality of such business in Ghana, such operations have been booming especially in the capital city, Accra.

Upsurge in robberies

There have been an upsurge in armed robbery cases in the last few weeks with some persons including an expatriate losing his life.

Communities such as Oyibi, Halelluyah and Gbestele all in Greater Accra, have recently recorded high cases of armed robberies.

‘We’ll shoot to kill robbers who engage us’

Meanwhile, the Accra Regional Police Command has threatened that it will shoot to kill any armed robber who attempts to engage the Police in a gunfight.

Speaking to Citi News, DCOP George Alex Mensah said the Service will do all it takes to protect its officers and the citizenry.

–

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

The post Ashaiman MCE bans ‘Okada’ after 11pm to curb robberies appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The contract which was being considered by the erstwhile NDC administration under the leadership of Ibrahim Baidoo, was considering to sign a contract to evacuate heaps of refuse at a temporary dumping site along the motorway, which has become a nuisance to residents.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Nmh7y7W0tQPltAD06AzWaaZnNuQuXNkb”]However, the vigilance of the incumbent Municipal Chief Executive was able to execute the same contract that was supposed to have cost the tax payer in excess of about eight hundred thousand Ghana cedis to a little over two hundred thousand Ghana cedis thereby saving the Assembly close to a whopping five hundred thousand Ghana cedis.

According to the chief executive, upon assumption of office, he was briefed on the refuse situation and the various efforts to clear the temporary dumping site of the heaps of rubbish, but was unsuccessful due to the high quotation brought forward by various bidders.

“When I took office, I was briefed on the refuse situation and the various quotations brought forward. However I noticed the Assembly was broke and also the quotations were quite high considering the nature of work to be done. The least quotation to evacuate the refuse turned mountain was six hundred and 60 thousand Ghana cedis, and others within the range of as high as seven hundred to eight hundred thousand Ghana cedis, which I thought were too much for the Assembly to bear considering its financial status.”

Mr. Okyere said he therefore adopted a strategy by constituting a committee made up of Assembly members and technocrats at the Assembly to execute the same contract without having to award it to any contractor.

Mr. Okyere said “it is sad the erstwhile administration was considering signing a contract of such magnitude without recourse to the state of the Assembly which is in a wobbling state where it was highly broke and in debt.”

He also said the Ibrahim Baidoo administration as per the handing over notes, left behind a debt of Ghc17 million, one hundred and six thousand, eight hundred and  fifty eight Ghana cedis, sixteen pesewas (17,106,858.16), while its total revenue generated as at 31st May, 2017 stood at two million and four hundred and sixty-five thousand, two hundred and seventy three Ghana cedis, seven pesewas (2,465,273.07) representing 11% of annual budgeted revenue of 22 million, one hundred and ninety eight thousand, four hundred and forty seven and twenty pesewas.

He said the financial status of the Assembly is not the best, and requires pragmatic measures to ensure the Assembly is back on track to enhance development.

He said he will review all contracts under the erstwhile administration and ensure value for money as well as revoke those that were signed in haste during the transition period that are questionable.

“I am not here to witch-hunt, but to ensure the people get value for money because the municipality needs more and I can’t afford to disappoint my people and the president” he noted.

–

By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ashaiman MCE saves GHc500,000 from ‘bloated’ contracts appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He is currently receiving treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after he was attacked by some three armed robbers in front of his house in the evening at community 22 near in Tema.

According to a source close to Mr. Baidoo, the former MCE was about to enter his community 22 apartment around 7:00pm Wednesday evening, when the armed robbers who were riding on motor bikes crossed him and shot through his car.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7k12a6WhAZP5JExvoxYJxSG2vK7nS4NH”]”From the way the action went, you could say they had targetted to shoot him in the head but missed the target. Though he narrowly escaped the direct shot, effects of the bullet splashed on his eyes and he had to be rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for immediate treatment,” the source narrated.

According to the source, the armed robbers after firing the shots, made away with his private Chrysler salon car.

When Citi News visited the Ashaiman Divisional Police Command Thursday morning, they confirmed the incident but said they are still investigating the matter.

About Ibrahim Baidoo

Ibrahim Baidoo served as MCE for Ashaiman from 2013 to 2017, under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

He came under pressure from members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) when the NDC was defeated in the December 7, 2016 election, after he was accused of trying to approve last minute contracts.

–

By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Robbers attack former Ashaiman MCE appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The first MCE for the area, Albert Okyere, who is an Akan, is rumoured to have been tipped for the position.

But according to the group, there are many Ga-Dangme indigenes in Ashaiman who have worked hard for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and can equally deliver.

Addressing the media at Ashaiman, the Chairman of the group, Ebenezer Amanor, said any appointment contrary to their demand will be met with stiff opposition.

“The youth groups, stakeholders and elders of the Ga Dangbe community in Ashaiman have resolved that the Municipal Chief Executive in Ashaiman shall be a Ga Dangme indigene based on the following reasons. No Ga Dangbe member has ever been appointed in any part or region of Ghana as a Municipal Chief Executive. In Greater Accra, almost all the Municpal Chief Executives are Ga Dangmes. but where is that of Ashaiman?There are many Ga Dangmes within the NPP in the Ashaiman Constituency, who are qualified and capable of holding the position of MCE, and to execute the agenda and vision of his excellency the President.Any attempt to impose anybody who is not a Ga Adangme will be vehemently opposed.”

This resistance comes days after Paramount chiefs in the seven Nzema traditional areas of the Western Region, also kicked against the President’s decision to appoint Dr. Ben Asante as the caretaker Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Gas Company Limited.

According to them, Professor Sagary Nokoe, an NPP member “of the soil who understands the socio-cultural, economic, security, political and environmental dynamics of the terrain” is “more fit” to be considered for the job.

They have thus warned that failure on the part of the President to grant them their wish “will in a long way sever the ties that bind us the people of Nzemaland to your party and leadership”.

–

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

The post We don’t want non Ga-Dangme as Ashaiman MCE – Group appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Confusion rocked the Ashaiman NPP youth office at Tulaku, a suburb of Ashaiman, when a group of young men angrily disrupted a scheduled press conference at the party office over the matter.

[contextly_sidebar id=”uoRv9FvOouIfgrjtupMjJTyAz7uIm6dl”]The angry youth who are alleged to be loyalists of the defeated NPP 2016 Parliamentary candidate, Alhaji Yakubu Labarran, stormed the party office few minutes to the start of the  press conference and disrupted the exercise.

They kicked the chairs and tables arranged and manhandled the organizers before locking up the office.

The disrupted press conference was organized by a group called Concerned Grassroots Members of the NPP in Ashaiman.

According to the well-built young men, there was no way they would allow such a press conference to hold anywhere in the constituency since such events are geared towards the promotion of other candidates vying for the position of MCE in the constituency.

“We shall not allow anybody in Ashaiman to organize any press conference anywhere in Ashaiman because it is an agenda to promote other potential candidates. The people of Ashaiman want Alhaji Labarran so we will not allow anybody to come and thwart our effort”

They angrily chanted that “Alhaji has done a lot for the party and we shall not allow his efforts to go waste”

They further noted that, they will only agree for another person to become the MCE for Ashaiman if Alhaji Labarran is given another appointment elsewhere.

“If Alhaji is not given any appointment, we shall not allow anybody to get the position of MCE in Ashaiman. No Alhaji, No MCE” they warned.

They warned the party against the selection of a one-time former MCE Albert Okyere as the suitable nominee, since they shall fiercely oppose his nomination.

“We don’t want Okyere and if the party dares bring him, we shall create total chaos in Ashaiman” they threatened.

The intended press conference which sort to call on the party hierarchy at both the constituency, regional and national level to be circumspect with their choice of candidate to be nominated as MCE for the area due to tension in the constituency, was thus truncated due to the confusion.

The press statement, which was made available to Citi News stated that “We here believe that, in the selection of who becomes the MCE for Ashaiman, the party hierarchy must not just select anyone for the sake of it, but with all humility consider the inputs of those of us the downtrodden, the foot soldiers and the polling station executives since we are also stakeholders of our great Party the NPP”

It continued that; “We as Concerned Grassroots Supporters of the NPP in Ashaiman have heard of several names that are flying about in the constituency as potential MCEs. But we are of the view that the party should not be in haste in its declaration, but must try and do due diligence and consultation ahead of the selection in order not to lose touch with the grassroots and floating voters by announcing the wrong nominee.”

“Among the names we have heard, there are some who have really been with the party from its inception, some who have been with the party through thick and thin, some who have really suffered for the party and have helped to boost the image of the party in this constituency and continue to do so.”

“All these people deserve being named, but above all, we think the party must nominate a unifier who has worked with the party and can highly identify and recognize the grassroots members who also played diverse roles in the victory of the party”

The group argued that, the selection of the MCE is not about self-interest, but about service to the people of Ashaiman, and adding to the infrastructure base of Ashaiman”

They appealed to the party to be guided by competence, hard work, dedication, and loyalty to the party as they choose who should become the MCE for the area.

–

By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post Tension mounts in Ashaiman ahead of MCE nomination appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to them, Ashaiman is a cosmopolitan area, and that all qualified persons who meet the criteria should not be denied the opportunity to apply for the top job in the constituency.

The Assembly members made the comments after the swearing-in ceremony of some eight government-appointees to the Assembly.

The ceremony which almost ended in chaos over allegations of replacement of names by the NPP constituency executives, was suspended for some hours before proceedings continued.

A former Assembly Member for the Nii Man Electoral Area, Madam Harriet Naana, alleged that her name had been removed by the constituency chairman and some executives, and thus disrupted the programme by creating a scene at the Assembly hall.

She attempted snatching the appointment letter from one of the government appointees whom she believed had been made to take her place.

Although the programme continued after the issues were resolved, the former Assembly woman said “I am disappointed in the executives who have decided to impose some persons on the people of Ashaiman. My name was added to the list by Hajia Alima, but the chairman whom I suspect dislikes me, removed my name and replaced it with her favourite person,” she lamented.

Other Assembly members who spoke to Citi News said, they  will equally vote against any candidate who is imposed on them by the regional executives of the NPP without their prior approval.

“Why would Ishmael Ashitey sit at the regional level and decide for us? We shall make sure we vote massively against whoever is brought as MCE who has not suffered with the party from the grassroots level”

Another Assembly member also alleged that, some regional executives are fighting their way to the municipality to lead them as MCE, and vowed that they will not allow that to happen.

“Why must we allow a regional executive to come and lead us in Ashaiman as MCE; while there are great competent candidates who have all the necessary credentials and have gone through the ranks here who can equally become MCE? ”

“Why should tribal card be played in the nomination of MCE when the people playing the tribal card were not around when we needed them most to champion the course of the party during the campaign period?

They appealed to the NPP national executives to ensure due diligence is done in the selection of the nominee for the MCE position, in order to avoid the party and the candidate suffering an embarrassment at the Assembly when an unpopular candidate is brought.

–

By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ashaiman: Assembly members warn against imposition of MCE appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.