While emphasizing that the auditors are fallible hence the need for parliament’s rigorous scrutiny to ensure the information provided is accurate, he said the “disturbing development” of leaking the report undermines the power of Parliament.

Speaking at a book launch “Destiny and Politics; A Biography in Honour of Samuel Sallas-Mensah,” Doe Adjaho mentioned that the findings from the Audit Service are not sacrosanct hence the possibility of it being challenged.

“My understanding of the law and best parliamentary practice is that prior to publication, audit reports must be laid in parliament, these reports are subsequently referred to the public accounts committee for consideration and reported to the whole house. Yet in recent times, we read in the media about reports, but when you try to get a copy from parliament you’re told it has not been laid,” he said.

“The truth is that, auditors also do make mistakes. My position is that, we should at all cost resist the temptation to leak audit reports which may not necessarily be final on the matter before the reports are laid in the House… Interestingly, these reports are generating public discourse ahead of the consideration and examination of parliament. This is wrong and impugns on the work of the public of the public accounts committee,” he added.

The 2016 Auditor General’s report on MDAs, although yet to be laid before Parliament, is within the public domain and has generated a lot of public discussions over the past few days. The Auditor General, Daniel Domelevo, has also made some public utterances about the report including suggestions that he be given prosecutorial powers.

But Doe Adjaho warned that there could be dire consequences when documents are leaked.

He however called on the Auditor General to be firm and “play by the rules” even in the face of public pressure and political enthusiasm.

In attendance at the book launch were some past and present Members of parliaments as well as members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) including Former Finance Minister Seth Tepker, Moses Asaga and Rashid Pelpuo.

Doe Adjaho, who wrote the foreword to the book and also formally launched the biography, described Mr. Samuel Sallas-Mensah as a “good friend and former colleague and one of the distinguished and finest members of parliament in the 4^th republic who served Ghana dutifully”.

He also credited Samuel Sallas-Mensah for his work in ensuring that the Public Accounts Committee sittings were televised.

‘100,000 endowment fund’

The book launch also saw the launch of a ¢100.000 endowment fund to support needy but brilliant students from two district assemblies: Upper West Akim and West Akim Municipal Assembly.

Samuel Sallas-Mensah described the book launch as one of the cherished moments of his life. Recounting his days growing up and struggles to get education, he pledged that proceeds made out of the sale of the book will go into the fund which will be managed by a trust.

He also expressed his appreciation to the NDC and his constituents for the support over the years.

Sallas-Mensah further urged members of the party to keep upholding the values of accountability and integrity.

The 155-paged biography, titled ‘Destiny and Politics’, was written by CNN-Award winning journalist, Kofi Akpabli.

About Sallas-Mensah

Sallas-Mensah was the Member of Parliament for Upper West Akim for four terms and the former Chief Executive Officer of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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His comments follow the presence of less than five MPs on their seats, at the time proceedings were scheduled to begin at 10:00am.

Disappointed by the emptiness of the House, Prof. Oquaye rebuked the MPs and charged leaders of the House to get members on the floor to do business on time, saying the tax payers do not expect lateness from them.

[contextly_sidebar id=”YCHdT7VENbbDSiMaXN3Ujp2Cgzc1ZT2M”]“Our people who pay us expect that work should be done, so let us at least take the opportunity to see how we can contain the situation to ameliorate the problem rather than taking advantage of it and going home,” he added.

MPs scolded over lateness

This follows a similar concern raised by Edward Doe Adjaho, when he served as the Speaker in the previous Parliament.

He lamented that the lackadaisical attitude to time exhibited by the MPs affected the business of the House.

“Let us resolve from today that 10 o’clock, we all come here, leave our offices, come here [for proceedings], start the work and finish on time so you can go back to your offices,” Mr. Adjaho said.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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The irate foot soldiers blocked the entrance of the hotel with logs, stones and motorcycles, which caused some regional party executives to flee the scene.

But for the timely intervention of the chairman of the committee, Dr. Kwesi Botchway, and some police personnel who were called in to calm tensions, the situation would have gotten out of hand.

The meeting was being organized by a national body of the party to deliberate with constituency executives in a bid to understand why the party performed abysmally in the December elections.

The foot soldiers together with some constituency executives are calling for the Eastern Regional executives to step down. They are of the view that, the regional executives contributed largely to the defeat of the party in the December elections, and their incompetence caused the party not to achieve the agenda 50/50 they set for the Eastern Region in the run-up to the elections.

However, executives of 11 constituencies out of the 33 constituencies in the Eastern Region, namely (New Juaben North and South, Abuakwa North and South, Suhum, Ayensuano, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Okere, Akropong, Fanteakwa North and South) are in a closed-door meeting with some heads of the committee, Madam Juliana Azumah, Hon Doe Adjaho and Dr. Kwesi Botchway who is the chairman of the committee.

The committee will move to Somanya on Friday to meet with constituency executives of Asougyaman, Odumase and Somanya to continue their work.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to the speaker, MPs do not attend sittings early enough, a situation which he says is  affecting the work of the House.

He added that, should the negative trend continue, the House may be unable to complete its work before they break for the December 7 polls.

He made the observation at Parliament on Thursday.

Mr. Adjaho complained that the attendance “in the morning of yesterday [Wednesday], and this morning [Thursday], is not the best. Some of us we come very early waiting to get people into the chamber so from next week, we have to start at exactly at 10:00am and let’s see what we can do; then we can break for the elections.”

Deputy Majority Leader, Alfred Agbesi, who sided with the Speaker’s complaints promised to ensure that members arrive early to participate in the proceedings of the House.

On his part, the Minority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu, called for more diligence from MPs.

“…Even today, if one wants to be very technical, one would realize that, we don’t even have the number to begin the transaction of business…today at the commencement of public business, we don’t even have as many as 50 members here. So if we may have to sit for two or three weeks, let us show greater diligence than we have done, and to carry the House with us, otherwise if anybody decides to take us on, I think the House may be brought to shame. So let’s see what we can do; but let’s have the sufficient numbers to help us transact business,” he added.

Huge bills to be passed

Members of Parliament resumed sitting on Tuesday, October 11, after two months of recess.

A statement signed by Kate Addo, Deputy Director, Public Affairs of Parliament, said “there are Nine (9) instruments to be presented at this meeting, three (3) instruments at the Committee Level and thirty two (32) Papers to be presented.”

“Ten (10) Motions have been tabled for Debate and one hundred (100) other referrals of Bills at the Committee. There will be notice of questions to be answered by various sector ministers,” the statement added.

December polls looming

Members of Parliament seeking another 4-year term in Parliament, only have barely two months to campaign ahead of the December 7 polls.

Some of them have either launched their campaign or in the process of launching same.

Some political observers believe that, the business of Parliament is likely to be affected because most of the MPs would prefer spending time with their constituents in times like these, than to be in the House.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Franklin Badu Jnr/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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The 25-year-old was given a huge reception when his name was announced in Jurgen Klopp’s injury-stricken side before kick-off, and he responded by helping set up the first for Adrian Ramos and scoring the second at Signal Iduna Park.

Kagawa, who scored just six goals in 38 Premier League appearance for Manchester United, has now managed 22 in 50 Bundesliga outings for Dortmund.

Substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed the victory with a sumptuous dink over goalkeeper Roman Burki in the 78th minute, with Oliver Sorg’s last-minute just a consolation for the visitors.

It was Dortmund’s ninth successive win over Freiburg, during which time they have scored 29 times and conceded just four.

The result elevated Jurgen Klopp’s men to third in the Bundesliga, one point behind pacesetters Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.

Freiburg, meanwhile, have taken just one point from a possible nine – and a repeat of last season’s top-half exploits looks unlikely.

Talismanic attacker Marco Reus recently joined Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gundogan and Nuri Sahin on the Dortmund treatment table, with Klopp bringing in Kagawa and electing to start Adrian Ramos in place of Aubameyang at the spearhead of the attack.

It was the visitors who had the first chance. Admir Mehmedi raced in behind the Dortmund backline and into the area, but Roman Weidenfeller repelled the Switzerland forward’s firm strike.

It was then the Freiburg goalkeeper’s turn to preserve the deadlock. Milos Jojic turned cleverly and sent Kevin Grosskreutz through on goal, but his first-time effort was deflected wide by the legs of Roman Burki and Marc-Oliver Kempf had to be alert to turn the winger’s ball for Kagawa behind.

Dortmund made the breakthrough they deserved after 33 minutes, and it was indebted to Kagawa.

The 25-year-old Japan international spun his man delightfully and pierced open the Freiburg defence with a throughball into Grosskreutz who cut the ball across goal for Ramos to stab home his second league goal for Dortmund.

In the 41st minute, Signal Iduna Park erupted as its returning hero made it 2-0.

Following a neat passing move, Ramos crossed from the right and after Henrikh Mkhitaryan had failed to connect with an attempted shot, Kagawa was there to bury the ball in the bottom corner from just inside the area.

The second half began at a much slower pace. Just after the hour, Kagawa went down with suspected cramp and hobbled off to a standing ovation.

Ciro Immobile came on in his place and almost made an immediate impact. The Italy striker shrugged off one challenge, and cleverly cut inside Kempf, only to fire straight into the arms of Burki.

But another substitute did get Dortmund’s third. Aubameyang‘s electric pace got him beyond the Freiburg defence and though Burki rushed from his line, the Gabon forward clipped it over him and into the back of the net.

There was some consolation for Freiburg, though, as Sorg scored their first goal of the season late on to ensure it finished 3-1 to Dortmund.

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Source: Goal.com

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The former France winger came off the bench to seal a deserved win for the champions with a well-taken late goal on his return from a knee injury.

Ribery, who this week stated he would not reverse his decision to retire from international football, had not featured since Bayern’s DFB-Pokal final win in May, but he made up for lost time at the Allianz Arena.

Midfielder Mario Gotze, who scored Germany’s winner in the World Cup final, found the back of the net for the first time this season for the Bavarian giants with a clinical first-half finish to put Bayern in front.

Xabi Alonso, making his home debut, and Robert Lewandowski both struck the post as Bayern secured a 12th successive win against Stuttgart, who had their chances but were unable to end their dismal run against the home side.

Bayern have now won two of their first three Bundesliga matches and were impressive ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester City on Wednesday.

Armin Veh’s Stuttgart side, on the other hand, are awaiting their first Bundesliga victory of the campaign.

Bayern’s recent signing Mehdi Benatia was among the substitutes, while Pep Guardiola restored Dante and Juan Bernat to the starting line-up at the expense of Sebastian Rode and Xherdan Shaqiri.

Timo Werner and Moritz Leitner replaced Daniel Didavi and Alexandru Maxim in the Stuttgart starting line-up.

Bayern wasted little time in stamping their authority on the game and it took an agile save from Sven Ulreich to keep out Thomas Muller’s header after Jerome Boateng picked the forward out.

Antonio Rudiger spurned an opportunity to give Stuttgart a shock lead when he headed wide at the back post and that miss proved costly, as Gotze put Bayern in front after 27 minutes.

The midfielder showed great composure to take a touch inside before rifling home with his right foot from around 10 yards out after Stuttgart failed to deal with a free-kick from Alonso.

Bayern were worthy of their lead, but were caught napping when Rudiger was left unmarked from a corner, only to again head off target.

The home side wanted a penalty for handball against Gotoku Sakai, but the referee waved played on and Bayern suffered a blow when Holger Badstuber picked up a thigh injury late in the first half and was replaced by Gianluca Gaudino.

Close-season signing Filip Kostic replaced Vedad Ibisevic at half-time as Veh attempted to get his side back into the game.

Bayern always looked dangerous going forward, though, and Lewandowski tried his luck with an acrobatic volley after demonstrating some excellent close control, but was off target.

Rudiger was presented with another golden opportunity when Bayern again left him unmarked from a free-kick, but he appeared to be caught in two minds and the chance had passed.

Ribery was given a great reception when he replaced Gotze after 67 minutes, then Alonso struck the post before Lewandowski was also denied by the woodwork.

Former Marseille man Ribery showed his class to seal the points two minutes from time, though, finishing with his left foot after Lewandowski played him in.

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Source: Goal.com

The post Ribery, Gotze score in Bayern win over Stuttgart appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Jurgen Klopp’s men had to settle for second spot in the table last term – finishing 19 points behind Bayern – and Reus has warned that they must be more consistent this season if they are to threaten the Bavarians.

“It will be all about Bayern Munich again in the Bundesliga, even if they weren’t crowned champions in 2007 and 2011 the season after a World Cup,” Reus told Kicker.

“As for Dortmund, we will have to ensure we don’t drop as many points again as we did halfway through last season.

“We did very well at the start of the campaign and toward the end, but were not at the same level halfway through the season.”

The 25-year-old also briefly discussed his future and insisted that he is happy at his current club amid reports linking him with a summer transfer.

“I can only repeat what I have already said before. I am very happy to be playing for Dortmund.

“My main objective for now is to get back to peak fitness. Everything else isn’t important for me at the moment.”

Reus has a contract with Dortmund until the summer of 2017, but has a clause in his deal that allows him to leave BVB for €35 million at the end of the 2014-15 campaign.

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Source: Goal.com

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The Germany international has a contract with BVB until June 2017, but he’s available for a limited fee release clause of €35 million in the summer of 2015.

Dortmund are keen to hold on to Reus, though, and have offered the 25-year-old a payrise in an attempt to convince him to agreeing to remove the buyout clause from his current deal.

However, contract talks have so far been unsuccessful and the attacker’s representative has refused to rule out a move elsewhere.

“Marco would make any big European team stronger,” Hebel was quoted as saying by Bild.

“That’s why it’s completely normal that a number of these major European teams are interested in signing him.

“But his main priority for now is to get back to top fitness and return to the pitch. Everything else is not important at this stage.”

Reus, who missed Germany’s successful World Cup campaign due to injury, has been linked with clubs such as Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool in the past few months.

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Source: Goal.com

The post Big clubs interested in Marco Reus – Agent appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.