This follows reports of massive diversion of premix fuel meant for fishermen to other parts of Tema for industrial purposes.

According to letters signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and forwarded to the National Premix Committee continuously for eight months, the Central Region fell victim to the premix consignment diversions on four different occasions from April to July  2017.

[contextly_sidebar id=”EE7b1mStly2JRYmNTDx0UVKI6l8MOQJf”]The coastal belt of the Region starts from Komenda in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality area, through Winneba to Nyinyano in the Gomoa East District, but only two notable areas: the Ekumfi District and the Mfantseman Municipality suffered the unfortunate artificial shortage.

While the Ekumfi area had three of its consignments diverted, the Mfantseman area had one.

On April 18, 2017, a 13,500 litre truckload of premix fuel from the Tema Oil Refinery, of invoice number 6543, that was to be sent to the Ekum Mpoano in the Ekumfi District, was diverted to a place at Tema.

On 20th of April, a similar quantity of the product from TOR meant for the Landing Beach Committee of Ekumfi Narkwa, of invoice number 6019, was diverted to Senya Breku, another part of the Central Region.

Again, on July 25 this year, another 13,500 litres of premix fuel, of invoice number 662, also from TOR, that was meant for Ekumfi Imuna, found its way to Kpone in the Greater Accra Region.

The last was on July 20, when a similar amount of the product loaded from TOR, of invoice number 88895, that was supposed to be brought to the Saltpond Landing Beach Committee, was diverted to Manya Krobo in the Eastern Region.

When Citi News visited Ekumfi Narkwa to meet officials of the Landing Beach Committee, the Committee showed April 2017 invoices for the 4^th and 27^th of that month.

The secretary of the Committee, Kenneth Andoh, confirmed they were actually awaiting a consignment on April 20, but it never arrived, and they took it to mean the usual delays associated with the supply.

Mr. Andoh said, “I didn’t sign any consignment on the 20^th or 21^st of April, though we were expecting a consignment, but I didn’t get any explanation from anywhere”.

Asked about the last time fishermen had premix fuel at Ekumfi Narkwa, he indicated they have not been getting it for two weeks now.

At the Saltpond Nankesedo Landing Beach Committee, at the time of Citi News’ visit, some fishermen were seen holding gallons getting ready to go to the fuel station in the heart of Saltpond.

Oblivious of what the reality on the ground was, the fishermen had gone to the house of the Landing Beach Committee chairman’s residence, fuming over why they have not been getting the product.

They complained angrily that they have not been getting premix fuel for over two months now.

One of the angry fishermen and owner of three canoes, Opanyin Kofi Ansah, said, “We are really having a turbulent time as a result of this premix shortage. It is an indispensable input in our work, but it’s always in short supply”.

He said “Government should deal ruthlessly with all those smuggling the product for denying us of what is due us. We have planned of going to the MCE’s office to demonstrate. We are now spending extra money to buy other products to mix them for our machines.”

Confirming the fishermen’s frustration, the pump attendant of the Committee complained that, “Sometimes, we are firmly promised that the premix consignment is on its way, but we will wait for days, and nothing will come. It’s almost three months now, and we have had no premix here at Saltpond. It’s embarrassing to be told to wait for a consignment and it will not come”.

Contacts made to fishermen at Ekum Mpoano also confirmed that, the area has not been getting the product for close to three months.

The fishermen in all the four areas have been resorting to the use of a combination of other petroleum productions to power their outboard motors, at a cost three times the amount they would have spent on premix fuel.

There have been similar reports of artificial shortages in many coastal communities of the Western Region.

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

The post Ekumfi, Saltpond hit by premix shortage amidst reports of diversion appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

As government launched the One-District-One-Factory programme on Friday with the sod-cutting for the Ekumfi Pineapple Factory, President Nana Akufo-Addo noted that 80,000 jobs were also expected to be created from the running of these factories.

“It is envisioned that 51 districts will actually start the implementation of their enterprises by the end of the year with the potential to generate a minimum of 80,000 direct and indirect jobs,” the President said.

With the first factory commissioned under the policy, the President said: “it is now clear that this programme is destined to succeed,” and the naysayers who did not believe in the New Patriotic Party’s One-District-One-Factory’ project have been put to shame.

The Ekumfi pineapple factory is expected to employ over 5000 people and will be completed by mid-2018.

President Akufo-Addo also appealed for the “unalloyed support of every Ghanaian and the financial institutions and organisations for the success of this project.”

The One-District-One-Factory programme will also be key to stemming rural-urban migration and dealing with unemployment, the President said.

“We have to banish the sector of young able bodied young men and women who leave our rural areas for urban areas in search of non-existent jobs.”

“Every district in our country abounds in raw materials and it is the vision of the government to create economic growth poles out of them. It is the only way we can deal effectively with the greatest threat to our future – widespread unemployment among our youth.”

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

The post 51 districts to get factories by end of 2017 – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

When the Mahama government was reviving the Komenda Sugar factory in the Central Region, IMANI raised issues with the viability of the project.

[contextly_sidebar id=”XGWay0PmFOQvp935dTdJwcYFp05Bh4dx”]At the time, it warned that the $35 million earmarked for the project was not enough and will lead to commissioning challenges.

It also said that it will take not less than 1,000 hectares of land to produce enough sugar cane to make the project viable.

IMANI cautioned that the projections the factory will make an annual gross sales projections of $20 million dollars were not realistic, and that the investors were merely seeking to justify the under-capitalization of the business, by inflating the cash flow expectations.

About two weeks ago, the deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Robert Ahomka Lindsay said the Komenda Sugar Factory will idle longer than expected, as a myriad of challenges including the lack of raw materials have stalled full operations.

A recent Citi News report revealed that frustrated sugar cane producers have resorted to selling their produce to akpeteshie brewers.

Less than a year after its commissioning, the factory has been shut down, crushing the hopes of sugarcane growers in the region.

As the One-District-One-Factory commences, IMANI’s founding President, Franklin Cudjoe stressed that Akufo-Addo government could not afford to oversee another round of factory collapses.

“…whenever a government wants to get into the business of doing business, they’ve got to be mindful that, first of all, they are not applying their personal funds. They are applying the funds of the public and some amount of analysis is very much needed before we get on with debt.”

“So as the new government embarks on its one district, one factory, all we have said is they should look to the things that have happened to the previous factories, right from the Nkrumah days, up until now… and to fix those problems before we embark on such journeys.”

The Akufo-Addo government has indicated its intent to partner the private sector in its industrialisation project and Mr. Cudjoe expressed hope that “they will allow the private sector to have the managerial prowess to be able to determine the viability of the enterprises the One-District-One-Factory is supposed to span.”

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By: Eugenia Tenkorang/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Don’t start another round of collapsed factories – IMANI to gov’t appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The lands and the funds for the establishment of the factory have already been secured, according to the government.

[contextly_sidebar id=”yArxwIvmge36iOPS5k5UQy4nxyk0tyaX”]This is expected to be the first project of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagship “One district, one factory” programme.

Gifty Ohene Konadu, the Coordinating Director of the “One district, One factory” programme, at a durbar of chiefs and people at Ekumfi, noted that “we want the first factory to be built in Ekumfi. If it is approved, we will help the government build it as soon as possible.”

She also said that “we are in talks with some banks, the government itself and even some Chinese investors and they are all excited and ready to start work as soon as possible.”

Nana Addo’s vow to Ekumfi

The late President John Evans Atta Mills was a native of the Ekumfi and President Nana Akufo-Addo vowed to develop the Ekumfi District to honour the late President when he visited the place.

“Before we competed we were brothers. We were in university together. We were even in the same hall together as well. We were friends till the day he died. I have to do something to show that the friendship we had was not for nothing,” the President said the durbar at Ekumfi Essakyir in the Ekumfi District during his tour of the Central Region.

The ‘One District One Factory’ programme is designed to establish at least one viable factory in all 216 districts in Ghana as part of an industrialization drive aimed at providing jobs and transforming the economic fortunes of the country.

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By: Rita Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ekumfi to get pineapple factory under One-district-One-factory appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“Support my government because all the policies and programmes we have begun to put it place will benefit all Ghanaians in every part of the country. By the end of my mandate in office, I can assure you that Ghanaians will know that I came to tell them the truth and not to deceive them,” President Akufo-Addo noted.

According to him, the Free SHS policy and the full restoration of the nursing and teacher training allowances, which will commence in September 2017, as well as the 1-District-1-Factory, programme for Planting for Food and Jobs, 1-Village-1-Dam, will improve the living conditions of Ghanaians.

The President indicated that his government has put in place the appropriate measures to strengthen our monetary system, so the progress and prosperity he promised will be delivered.

President Akufo-Addo made this known on Friday, August 11, 2017, when he toured the Ekumfi and Awutu Senya West constituencies, on the 2nd day of his 3-day tour of the Central Region.

Having won Ekumfi and Awutu Senya West in the 2016 election, President Akufo-Addo thanked the Chiefs and people, assuring them that the confidence reposed in him and his government will be duly rewarded with the full implementation of programmes and policies.

At Awutu Senya East, President Akufo-Addo assured the Chiefs and people that over the course of his term in office, his government will see to the upgrading of the health posts in the constituency, as well as the provision of potable water to Bontrase and other deprived communities.

The President assured that the construction of the landing beach wharf, as well as construction of the Akotsi-Senya /Bawjiase-Kasoa and Obrachire/Bawjiase roads.

“Support me fully, so I can work to fulfill the pledges I made to you. Let me reiterate that Ghana is not a poor country. We are a rich nation. With good policies, we are going to bring wealth and prosperity to every part of this country,” he added.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Support me to deliver prosperity to Ghanaians – Akufo-Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The President paid a warm tribute to the late President, who was a native of Ekumfi, saying they were Hall mates and friends back at school, just that politics seemed to have separated them.

“Before we competed we were brothers. We were in university together. We were even in the same hall together as well. We were friends till the day he died. I have to do something to show that the friendship we had was not for nothing.”

President Akufo-Addo gave the promise at a durbar at Ekumfi Essakyir in the Ekumfi District, on his second day of his tour in the Central Region.

He has announced his government will make Ekumfi one of its focal points on the development agenda.

The Ekumfi Constituency, formerly the Mfantseman East Constituency, for the first time, voted an NPP parliamentary candidate, Ato Cudjoe, as a member of parliament in the 2016 general elections.

Speaking at the durbar, the Acting President of the Ekumfi Traditional Area, Nana Idun XI, has pledged his area’s support for the President’s developmental agenda.

The Chief has noted lands and other natural resources in the area are readily available for any developmental project in the area.

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

The post I will develop Ekumfi to honour Atta Mills – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Known to be the hometown of the late John Evans Atta Mills and a National Democratic Congress stronghold, the NPP candidate, Ato Cudjoe, beat out the NDC’s Abeiku Crentsil in what looks to be a statement victory for the opposition party.

Mr. Cudjoe polled 12,217 votes to Mr. Crentsil’s 11,630.

On the presidential side of things, the constituency voted skirt and blouse with the NPP Flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo polling 10,229 to the NDC Flagbearer, President John Mahama’s 13,244, according to provisional results from the EC.

The Ekumfi constituency saw a major defection in October with the NDC’s constituency chairman, Ekow Esirifie-Buckman, jumping ship to the NPP.

According to him, the incumbent MP and the party’s Parliamentary candidate for the area,  Abeiku Crentsil and the regional executives of the party rejected him for refusing to support the MP’s bid during the NDC parliamentary primaries.

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

The post #GhElections: Mills’ Ekumfi constituency falls to NPP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the party, it anticipated the move following the defection of Mr. Esirifie-Buckman’s spokespersons to the opposition party last month.

Esirifie-Buckman joined the NPP on Monday citing unfavourable working relations adding that defectiion will give him “his peace of mind.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”rs4JwnuFkEftt5gdJ4do3trUVNprym5q”]“It is clear that the party hierarchy, both in the Constituency and the Region are not comfortable with me and my chairmanship, so I, from today, with a heavy heart wish to apologize to my family, both far and near, friends, and the teaming party members, who reposed their trust in me for my decision to defect to the New Patriotic Party if that will give me the needed peace of mind,” he added.

But speaking on Eyewitness News, Kwesi Dawood, the Central Regional Communication Director of the NDC said the defection confirms Mr. Esirifie-Buckman’s  disloyalty to the NDC.

“We the NDC in the Central Region wholeheartedly welcome the defection of Mr. Ekow Esirifie-Buckman from the NDC to the NPP. We want to also state categorically to our members that it is good news for the Ekumfi NDC and the party in the area will continue to move from strength to strength. What the man did is an indication of his failure of the loyalty test we put to him when the party granted him amnesty to return to us after he contested as an independent parliamentary candidate in 2008 and campaigned against late President Atta Mills and contested for the NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo in the then Mfantsiman East constituency, now Ekumfi constituency.”

“His decision to defect to the NPP never came to us as a surprise… because of his mini moves against the fortunes of Abeiku Crenstil, the NDC MP and the defection of his spokesperson Mr. Adam Seidu to the NPP last month. They are birds of the same feathers so when Seidu Adams defected last month we know Mr. Buckman was also going to defect,” he added.

The communication director noted that the chairman was suspended from the party in April 2015 by his own executives after they described his actions as  “anti-party behaviour and clandestine moves against their sitting MP.”

“It took the regional executives for him to be reinstated but since last year, he has consistently and openly shown hatred against the NDC’s incumbent MP [Abeiku Crentsil] and had vowed to continuously work against him.”

The communication director further rejected claims by Esirifie-Buckman over diversion of outboard motors in the constituency arguing that “the allegations are nothing to write home about.”

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonlline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Our chairman’s defection shows his disloyalty – Ekumfi NDC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the incumbent MP and the party’s Parliamentary candidate for the area,  Abeiku Crentsil and the regional executives of the party rejected him for refusing to support the MP’s bid during the NDC parliamentary primaries.

“In the course of preparations towards the November primary,the executives on the side of the MP/PC did everything possible to disqualify Hon. Kuntu Blankson and Chief Binney, who were going to contest the MP/PC but I did not support their plans and so I became a threat to them therefore my name was mysteriously deleted from the voters register used for the constituency primary by whoever was responsible for the register such that I, the chairman of the party could not vote during primary.”

“Although the Regional Directorate admonished all constituency executives in the region not to throw their weight behind any of the parliamentary aspirants. The constituency executives on the MPs side made it clear at a constituency meeting that they were not going to sit aside and watch the MP lose his seat,” he added.

Addressing a press conference in his hometown Ekumfi Narkwa, Mr. Esirifie-Buckman said he is convinced that defecting to the opposition NPP will give him his peace of mind.

“It is clear that the party hierarchy, both in the Constituency and the Region are not comfortable with me and my chairmanship, so I, from today, with a heavy heart wish to apologize to my family, both far and near, friends, and the teaming party members, who reposed their trust in me for my decision to defect to the New Patroitic Party if that will give me the needed peace of mind,” Mr. Esiriie-Buckman said.

NDC executive in Ashanti Region defects to NPP

Mr. Buckman’s defection comes days after Awal Mohammed, the Deputy National Communications Officer for Zongo Caucus, the official wing of NDC in the Zongo communities announced his defection to the NPP.

Awal Mohammed who made the announcement in a press statement on Wednesday [October 5] was also a senior member of NDC communications team in the Ashanti Region.

He noted that his decision to defect from the NDC to the NPP was based on his “principles and convictions”.

He expressed disappointment the NDC did not state any policy to address concerns of the Zongo community in its recently launched manifesto.

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By: Marian Ansah/Akwesi Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ekumfi NDC Chairman defects to NPP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.