The Member of Parliament for Suame constituency, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, who was the minority leader in 2011 vehemently challenged then NDC government’s moves to procure two Airbus C-295 aircrafts for the Ghana Army.

That procurement has now been cited in a major bribery scandal involving the manufacturer, Airbus and some top Ghana officials.

The post Kyei Mensah-Bonsu explains why he opposed Airbus C-295 deal in 2011 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

President of Policy think tank IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has suggested that the ex-president John Mahama’s chances of winning the 2020 elections could be affected after his administration; 2009 – 2015 was cited in a bribery scandal involving aircraft manufacturer, Airbus.

The post AUDIO: Airbus scandal will adversely affect Mahama’s 2020 campaign – Franklin Cudjoe appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Umaru Sanda Amadu speaks to the Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission, Dr. Sereboe Quarcoo on the controversies surrounding the EC’s decison to compile a new voters’ register and also procure new biometric election devices.

The post We’ll start new voters’ registration from April 18 – EC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Bernard Avle interviews Dr. Bossman Asare, the deputy chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana on issues related to the new voters’ register.

In this interview, Bernard sought to know whether Ghana needed a new voters’ register or not.

Some political parties and civil society organizations believe that Ghana does not need a new register. The EC has also been accused of not engaging key stakeholders appropriate but Dr. Bossman Asare says the EC is ready to engage political parties opposing new voters’ register.

The post Bernard Avle interviews Dr. Bossman Asare on the new voters’ register appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The petition, being spearheaded by Klarity web and Tiger Eye Foundation, seeks to put pressure EC to ensure that it deals with the unnamed official who was captured on video allegedly collecting about GHc30 from desperate Ghanaians who went her office to have their lost ID cards replaced.

[contextly_sidebar id=”k2rHXC2wZos7BVUApbwZ3rVHbaIpN6ur”]In the video, the supposed EC official is seen telling someone who apparently wanted her lost card replaced that she’d have to pay GHc30 for the card to be delivered to her when it is ready.

Per the EC’s regulations, persons seeking to have their cards replaced are supposed to pay GHc5 into the EC’s account at any GCB Bank branch and send the receipts to any of the Commission’s regional or district offices for a new ID card to be issued.

According to Klarity Web, the EC had promised to deal with the matter by January 24, 2018 but nothing has been heard from the Commission since then.

“We believe that corruption should be high risk and a low gain activity, and are happy that many Ghanaians are taking this stand against everyday corruption,” said Eliza Kücükaslan, CEO of Klarity in a statement copied citifmonline.com.

The petitioners believe that for far too long corrupt officials in the Commission have not been held accountable.

“The petition has been delivered to the EC Head of Communication. Klarity and Tiger Eye Foundation along with the over 500 signatories calling the Electoral Commission to get to the bottom of the case and share the outcome from their investigation with the public of Ghana,” Eliza Kücükaslan added.

The group also said the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has met the victim who paid the GHc30 for the ID card replacement and has decided to initiate its own case.

EOCO investigates EC
Meanwhile the Economic and Organized Crime Office [EOCO] is currently investigating some officials of the EC including Deputy Chairperson in charge of Corporate Services, Georgina Opoku Amankwah of any wrongdoing following a probe into a  GHc480,000 believed to have gone missing from the EC’s Senior Staff Endowment Fund.

Three officials were subsequently asked to proceed on leave to enable EOCO investigate the issue.

–

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

The post Group petitions EC to sanction ‘corrupt’ official appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This follows a suit filed by a private citizen, Lolan Ekow Sagoe-Moses, and pressure group Citizens Ghana Movement (CGM), who prayed the court  to compel the Commission to enforce the provisions of the law that mandates all political parties to submit their annual financial statements  to the Commission.

[contextly_sidebar id=”qtlcjqi4I44oIQswISfPJHPn28ZAmUJq”]In his judgment, the Presiding Judge Justice Anthony Yeboah, asked the Electoral Commission to publish a demand notice to all political parties to take immediate steps to comply with the law within six (6) calendar months from the today, Friday, February 9, 2018.

Political parties Act

The Political Parties Act 574 (section 21), states that, political parties shall within six months from December 31 of each year, file with the Commission: a return in the form specified by the Commission indicating – the state of its accounts, the sources of its funds, membership dues paid and contributions in cash or kind.

Other requirements are; the properties of the party and time of acquisition, such other particulars as the Commission may reasonably require, and audited accounts of the party for the year.

CitizenGhana demands records of party assets from EC

Civil society group, CitizenGhana Movement, went to court  to have an order compelling the Electoral Commission to furnish it with copies of the annual audited accounts and assets and revenues of all 24 registered political parties.

The group, in an earlier statement in April 2017, indicated that, it had written to the EC on the 29th of March, 2017 in this regard.

The group said the letter was the first of a series of actions intended “to push for more transparency in the body politic of Ghana.”

–

By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Publish assets, accounts of political parties – Court orders EC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Citi News sources say the letter, which was copied to the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO), maintains that Mr. Kwaku-Asamoah is currently not under investigation, and must not be restrained from performing his duties.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NpsHkQQqP7HA199MDZ5IfOLoVsWXf1ee”]About seven months ago, the Finance Director, together with the Commission’s two deputy chairpersons, were directed to proceed on leave for investigations into the missing GHc 480, 000 from the EC’s Staff Endowment Fund.

But Citi News sources say his lawyers in the letter argue that, it is unjust for him to be locked out of his office when the alleged malfeasance did not happen under him.

Meanwhile, Citi News has also sighted an advise from the Attorney General’s Office asking EOCO to conduct a comprehensive independent forensic audit of the EC’s Staff Endowment Fund to deepen the investigation.

In the Attorney General’s opinion, EOCO’s investigations failed to prove whether any money was indeed misappropriated, and how much was involved.

Amankwah’s woes

In a related development, EOCO, on Monday rejected media reports suggesting that it has cleared the Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission in charge of Corporate Services, Georgina Opoku Amankwah of any wrongdoing following a probe into the  GHc480,000 believed to have gone missing from the EC’s Senior Staff Endowment Fund.

“We wish to emphatically and categorically state that no such clearance has been issued to any of the Officers of the Electoral Commission who are on leave,” EOCO said in a brief statement issued on Tuesday.

Madam Amankwah together with Dr.  Asamoah and another director of the EC were directed to proceed on leave in July 2017, to enable EOCO investigate the matter.

Although she forcibly resumed duty last week, Madam Amankwah and her lawyer after meeting with EOCO officials, agreed on a 14-day ultimatum  by which time she wants the EOCO report on her to be ready. She has vowed to return to work if she does not receive any response from EOCO.

This ultimatum was  agreed upon after officials of the investigative body stormed her office to prevent her from occupying it.

But even before the 14-day period elapses, the Daily Guide newspaper in its January 23, 2018 edition, reported that some documents available to it from the Attorney General’s Department suggest that the affected officers including Opoku Amankwa have been cleared of any malfeasance.

According to the newspaper, “The report, dated January 10, 2018, indicates that the focus of the EOCO investigation was on Samuel Yorke Aidoo, the then Director of Finance, as well as Ishmael Pensah, a former Chief Accountant, who no longer works with the EC.”

Daily Guide further suggested that Georgina Opoku-Amankwaah and the other directors being investigated were allegedly being hounded by EOCO on the instruction of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei.

But EOCO in its statement said the claims by the Paper are untrue.

“…the attribution that ‘EC Chairperson is said to be manipulating EOCO’ is blatant falsehood and needs to be condemned. The general public is invited to disregard the said publication,” the statement added.

The statement however fell short of addressing the newspaper’s claim of a report from the Attorney General’s Department.

–

By: Sixtus Dong Ullo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Reinstate me now, else… – EC Finance director fumes appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“We wish to emphatically and categorically state that no such clearance has been issued to any of the Officers of the Electoral Commission who are on leave,” EOCO said in a brief statement issued on Tuesday.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7ebW6pzkyBQ4GkBCvqw3mEqRtHDWcMys”]Madam Amankwah was however directed to proceed on leave in July 2017, to enable EOCO investigate the matter.

Although she forcibly resumed duty last week, Madam Amankwah and her lawyer after meeting with EOCO officials, agreed on a 14-day ultimatum  by which time she wants the EOCO report on her to be ready. She has vowed to return to work if she does not receive any response from EOCO.

This ultimatum was  agreed upon after officials of the investigative body stormed her office to prevent her from occupying it.

But even before the 14-day period elapses, the Daily Guide newspaper in its January 23, 2018 edition, reported that some documents available to it from the Attorney General’s Department suggest that the affected officers including Opoku Amankwa have been cleared of any malfeasance.

According to the newspaper, “The report, dated January 10, 2018, indicates that the focus of the EOCO investigation was on Samuel Yorke Aidoo, the then Director of Finance, as well as Ishmael Pensah, a former Chief Accountant, who no longer works with the EC.”

Daily Guide further suggested that Georgina Opoku-Amankwaah and the other directors being investigated were allegedly being hounded by EOCO on the instruction of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei.

But EOCO in its statement said the claims by the Paper are untrue.

“…the attribution that ‘EC Chairperson is said to be manipulating EOCO’ is blatant falsehood and needs to be condemned. The general public is invited to disregard the said publication,” the statement added.

The statement however fell short of addressing the newspaper’s claim of a report from the Attorney General’s Department.

Below the brief statement from EOCO:

PRESS RELEASE

ECONOMIC AND ORGANISED CRIME OFFICE- EOCO

The attention of the authority at the EOCO has been drawn to the banner headline of the 23^rd January 2018 Edition of the Daily Guide Newspaper that “EOCO Clears EC Top Officers”.

We wish to emphatically and categorically state that no such clearance has been issued by this Office to any of the Officers of the Electoral Commission.

Secondly, the attribution that “EC Chairperson is said to be manipulating EOCO” is blatant falsehood and needs to be condemned. The general public is invited to disregard the said publication.

EOCO will issue a statement on this matter.

SGD

ACP K.K. AMOAH (RTD)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DATED – 23^RD JANUARY, 2018

Background

In September 2017, EOCO confirmed that the money which went missing from the Electoral Commission (EC)’s Endowment Fund did not end up in the accounts of the officials of the EC under investigation.

However, the Executive Director of EOCO, K. K. Amoah, insisted that it was too early to conclude that the officials are innocent, given the mandate and access they had to the funds during the period.

EOCO commenced investigations into the activities of three officials of the EC; Georgina Opoku Amankwah, Chief Accountant, Kwaku Owusu Agyei-Larbi and Finance Officer, Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, after over 480,000 cedis went missing, resulting in the officials being asked to proceed on leave.

Speaking to Accra-based Peace FM, the Executive Director of EOCO, K. K. Amoah, stated that, investigations were far advanced into the matter, and that they were going to submit their findings to the Attorney General, which has since been done.

According to him, there have been claims that the money from the Endowment Fund was used for some projects for the EC, but he said no documents have been provided to prove this claim.

“It’s been suggested that the money was used for some work for the EC. If that’s the case, they should bring receipts and documents to prove it. We haven’t got any such documents from them. Without those documents, we’ll continue to pursue them. With time, we will pass the information on to the Attorney General to pursue the matter in court.”

K. K. Amoah also clarified that the officials under investigation were still on leave and had not been interdicted.

‘Officials assisting investigations’

The Head of Communications at the EC, Eric Kofi Dzakpasu, stated in July 2017 that, the three officials proceeded on leave in order to protect the integrity of investigations by EOCO.

A letter, written to the Chair of the EC, Charlotte Osei, dated July 4th, 2017 from EOCO, said “the suspects are assisting in investigations.”

Charlotte Osei, 2 deputies facing C’ttee in ‘corruption’ probe

On December 19, 2017, the Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, formally constituted a committee to investigate the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, and her two deputies, over corruption allegations leveled against them, with a caution to the general public to desist from making demeaning comments about their work.

“The general public is hereby informed that, Her Ladyship the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo, in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, has set up a five-member committee to investigate allegations brought against the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, and her two deputies, Mr. Amadu Sulley and Mrs. Georgina Opopu-Amankwa.”

In a statement signed by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong, the Chief Justice said anyone who makes comments that undermine the work of the Committee, will be cited for contempt.

In a release copied to citifmonline.com, the Judicial Secretary,  said the sittings of the Committee will be closed to the public.

The release, which failed to indicate the names of the Committee members, as well as state exactly when the Committee will start its work, said it will be chaired by a Justice of the Supreme Court.

The Petitions

Some staff of the EC petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in July 2017, to remove Mrs. Osei from office over allegations of fraud and financial malfeasance as well as abuse of office.

Some of the allegations involved the unilateral award of contracts by the EC boss in the run-up to the 2016 general election. The unnamed EC staff are being represented by Lawyer Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, against Mrs. Osei.

The petition against her, alleged among others the funneling of GH¢3.9 million to partition an office, the receipt of a Toyota Land Cruiser from the Mahama government, and the use of about $14 million when the Public Procurement Authority had authorized her to use only $7.5 million.

Charlotte Osei takes on Deputies

Mrs. Osei also responded by making allegations of corruption against her deputies, claiming that she was only being hounded because she sought to introduce systems to curb misuse and mismanagement of resources.

Charlotte Osei among other claims, accused deputy Chairperson of the Commission of illegally signing contracts  worth over GHC 40 million without her approval.

Fresh impeachment against EC Chair

Subsequently, another individual by name Douglas Seidu, a concerned Ghanaian, also petitioned the President in August 2017, seeking the removal of the EC Chair, on grounds of “financial misconduct, incompetence, conflict of interest, breaches of the public procurement processes, amongst others.

It is an eight-paged petition” according to the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, who spoke to Citi News in August.

President Akufo-Addo in accordance with the constitution forwarded both petitions to the Chief Justice to look into the matter.

Suggestions are that both petitions have been consolidated to make the Committee’s work easier.

–

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

The post We haven’t cleared EC’s Opoku Amankwah – EOCO appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This was among the major issues discussed at a meeting between officials of the EOCO and Madam Amankwaah’s lawyers after a near clash on Monday.

Officials of the Economic and Organised Crimes Office, EOCO, led by the Director, ACP K.K. Amoah, had stormed her office at the Electoral Commission to forcefully remove her from office for resuming full official duties in defiance of a directive that asked her to stay away.

The Deputy chair resisted the attempts to get her out of the office, indicating that the EC was treating her unfairly.

But following a meeting between her lawyer and officials of EOCO, it was agreed that EOCO presents its findings within 14 days.

Georgina Opoku Amankwah’s lawyer, Nana Boakye Adu-Poku, told Citi News after the meeting that, “they [EOCO] said they have conducted an investigation so we have to see the outcome of the investigation. What we have agreed is that, for now, she has to stay out for some time and after 14 days, whether the report is in or not, she will proceed to work.”

Madam Opoku Amankwah was directed to proceed on leave in July 2017, to enable investigations into the 480,000 Ghana cedis believed to have gone missing from the EC’s Senior Staff Endowment Fund.

Endowment Fund cash not in EC officials’ accounts – EOCO

In September 2017, EOCO confirmed that the money which went missing from the Electoral Commission (EC)’s Endowment Fund did not end up in the accounts of the officials of the EC under investigation.

However, the Executive Director of EOCO, K. K. Amoah, insisted that it was too early to conclude that the officials are innocent, given the mandate and access they had to the funds during the period.

EOCO commenced investigations into the activities of three officials of the EC; Georgina Opoku Amankwah, Chief Accountant, Kwaku Owusu Agyei-Larbi and Finance Officer, Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, after over 480,000 cedis went missing, resulting in the officials being asked to proceed on leave.

Speaking to Accra-based Peace FM, the Executive Director of EOCO, K. K. Amoah, stated that, investigations were far advanced into the matter, and that they were going to submit their findings to the Attorney General, which has since been done.

According to him, there have been claims that the money from the Endowment Fund was used for some projects for the EC, but he said no documents have been provided to prove this claim.

“It’s been suggested that the money was used for some work for the EC. If that’s the case, they should bring receipts and documents to prove it. We haven’t got any such documents from them. Without those documents, we’ll continue to pursue them. With time, we will pass the information on to the Attorney General to pursue the matter in court.”

K. K. Amoah also clarified that the officials under investigation were still on leave and had not been interdicted.

‘Officials assisting investigations’

The Head of Communications at the EC, Eric Kofi Dzakpasu, stated in July 2017 that the three officials proceeded on leave in order to protect the integrity of investigations by EOCO

“What I know is that, EOCO is investigating matters related to staff endowment fund where we have some gap in the deposits which must be paid to the staff from the deductions of the staff. As a result of which EOCO has started investigations and all persons who are related to the issue have been called for questioning… The commission is fully cooperating with EOCO as far as this investigation is concerned,” he said

A letter, written to the Chair of the EC, Charlotte Osei, dated July 4th, 2017 from EOCO, said “the suspects are assisting in investigations.”

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post EOCO to release findings on EC’s Opoku Amankwah in 14-days appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Madam Opoku Amankwah was directed to proceed on leave in July 2017, to enable investigations into the Ghc480,000 believed to have gone missing from the EC’s Senior Staff Endowment Fund.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Gxy8JzaIKMzWpBB45trVKN3u91S6v6fP”]Last week, she notified the investigative body, EOCO, of her intention to resume work even though the body is yet to release findings of its investigations. Citi News confirmed the letter, and EOCO’s receipt of same.

Sources close to the investigative body had also informed Citi News that EOCO was awaiting the advice of the Attorney General on how to proceed with its final report.

The Deputy EC Chairperson had thus been informed to wait a little longer as EOCO worked out its report. This response to the Madam Georgina Opoku Amankwah notwithstanding, she resumed duties today [Monday], after staying away for almost six months.

She told Citi News‘ Kojo Agyeman that she feels victimized since other Members of the Commission involved in the investigations are going about their official duties without hindrance.

Madam Amankwah has refused to leave her office, whiles three EOCO officials including the Director of EOCO, are behind her office doors seeking to get her out.

According to her, she received a call from the EOCO Boss this afternoon, asking why she had defied the earlier directive and reported to work.

The EOCO officials are standing by to lock up the office when she closes at 5:00pm, but the Madam Amankwah has as a result decided not to leave the office anytime soon.

Endowment Fund cash not in EC officials’ accounts – EOCO

In September 2017, EOCO confirmed that the money which went missing from the Electoral Commission (EC)’s Endowment Fund did not end up in the accounts of the officials of the EC under investigation.

However, the Executive Director of EOCO, K. K. Amoah, insisted that it was too early to conclude that the officials are innocent, given the mandate and access they had to the funds during the period.

EOCO commenced investigations into the activities of three officials of the EC; Georgina Opoku Amankwah, Chief Accountant, Kwaku Owusu Agyei-Larbi and Finance Officer, Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, after over 480,000 cedis went missing, resulting in the officials being asked to proceed on leave.

Speaking to Accra-based Peace FM, the Executive Director of EOCO, K. K. Amoah, stated that, investigations were far advanced into the matter, and that they were going to submit their findings to the Attorney General, which has since been done.

According to him, there have been claims that the money from the Endowment Fund was used for some projects for the EC, but he said no documents have been provided to prove this claim.

“It’s been suggested that the money was used for some work for the EC. If that’s the case, they should bring receipts and documents to prove it. We haven’t got any such documents from them. Without those documents, we’ll continue to pursue them. With time, we will pass the information on to the Attorney General to pursue the matter in court.”

K. K. Amoah also clarified that the officials under investigation were still on leave and had not been interdicted.

‘Officials assisting investigations’

The Head of Communications at the EC, Eric Kofi Dzakpasu, stated in July 2017 that the three officials proceeded on leave in order to protect the integrity of investigations by EOCO

“What I know is that, EOCO is investigating matters related to staff endowment fund where we have some gap in the deposits which must be paid to the staff from the deductions of the staff. As a result of which EOCO has started investigations and all persons who are related to the issue have been called for questioning… The commission is fully cooperating with EOCO as far as this investigation is concerned,” he said

A letter, written to the Chair of the EC, Charlotte Osei, dated July 4th, 2017 from EOCO, said “the suspects are assisting in investigations.”

Charlotte Osei, 2 deputies facing C’ttee in ‘corruption’ probe

On December 19, 2017, the Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, formally constituted a committee to investigate the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, and her two deputies, over corruption allegations leveled against them, with a caution to the general public to desist from making demeaning comments about their work.

“The general public is hereby informed that, Her Ladyship the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo, in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, has set up a five-member committee to investigate allegations brought against the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, and her two deputies, Mr. Amadu Sulley and Mrs. Georgina Opopu-Amankwa.”

In a statement signed by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong, the Chief Justice said anyone who makes comments that undermine the work of the Committee, will be cited for contempt.

In a release copied to citifmonline.com, the Judicial Secretary,  said the sittings of the Committee will be closed to the public.

The release, which failed to indicate the names of the Committee members, as well as state exactly when the Committee will start its work, said it will be chaired by a Justice of the Supreme Court.

The Petitions

Some staff of the EC petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in July 2017, to remove Mrs. Osei from office over allegations of fraud and financial malfeasance as well as abuse of office.

Some of the allegations involved the unilateral award of contracts by the EC boss in the run-up to the 2016 general election. The unnamed EC staff are being represented by Lawyer Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, against Mrs. Osei.

The petition against her, alleged among others the funneling of GH¢3.9 million to partition an office, the receipt of a Toyota Land Cruiser from the Mahama government, and the use of about $14 million when the Public Procurement Authority had authorized her to use only $7.5 million.

Charlotte Osei takes on Deputies

Mrs. Osei also responded by making allegations of corruption against her deputies, claiming that she was only being hounded because she sought to introduce systems to curb misuse and mismanagement of resources.

Charlotte Osei among other claims, accused deputy Chairperson of the Commission of illegally signing contracts worth over GHC 40 million without her approval.

Fresh impeachment against EC Chair

Subsequently, another individual by name Douglas Seidu, a concerned Ghanaian, also petitioned the President in August 2017, seeking the removal of the EC Chair, on grounds of “financial misconduct, incompetence, conflict of interest, breaches of the public procurement processes, amongst others.

It is an eight-paged petition” according to the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, who spoke to Citi News in August.

President Akufo-Addo in accordance with the constitution forwarded both petitions to the Chief Justice to look into the matter.

Suggestions are that both petitions have been consolidated to make the Committee’s work easier.

–

By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post EC’s Opoku Amankwah ‘fights’ EOCO, refuses to vacate office appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.