Speaking on Eyewitness News, Dr. Aning said there are enough documents on how to address the matter, including work done by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center, which is available to the ECOWAS.

[contextly_sidebar id=”wxwR9gMaSdURU3akaYFRSszMJ2kvcmlQ”]“It is a waste of the public purse. At the Kofi Annan Center, we led a sub region-wide study on the farmer-herders across West Africa, it has been presented to the mediation and security committee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) last year; are they telling me that Ghana’s representatives have not shared the document with them, this is unnecessary and is a waste,” he said.

Dr. Aning suggested that, among other options, the Committee can obtain the needed information without leaving the country, suggesting that it conducts the work at the Geography Department at the University of Ghana, Legon.

“If they go to the Geography Department at Legon, they will be able to tell them that, part of the clashes relates to climatic change,” he said.

He noted that the clashes that are happening in some of the West African sub-region are much more dangerous and frightening than what has occurred in Ghana.

He suggested that the country conducts a study into why its previous ways of addressing the long-standing conflict had failed before looking out for how other countries have tried to address it.

The cause of tensions between local farmers and nomadic herdsmen are seen to be essentially the same across the sub-region.

Many lives have been lost, and several persons have been displaced as a result of the long-standing conflict between the two groups.

Over 100 people were recently been displaced in some parts of the Kwahu East District of the Eastern Region, following separate reprisal attacks between herdsmen and some inhabitants of Dwibease and Wheewhee communities.

In Nigeria for instance, casualties are significantly higher, where more than 1, 200 people were killed in 2014 by different groups of Fulani herders, according to the Global Terrorism Index.

A mass burial for over 70 people was held in Nigeria’s central Benue State in January 2018.

Since the New Year,  more than 100 deaths have been reported in Benue and Taraba states, according to reports in Nigeria.

Fighting has been particularly heavy in Benue state, where 80 people have been killed and 80,000 displaced.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Herdsmen menace: Fact-finding mission a waste of public funds – Aning appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the trip became necessary following the advice of Dr. Bawumia’s doctors.

“The Vice President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on Friday, 19th January, 2018, left Ghana for the United Kingdom for medical leave, on advice of his doctors. He was accompanied by the 2nd Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia,” a statement said.

The development comes at a time when the Presidency had confirmed on Friday that the Vice President took ill in the early hours of the day and was attended to by his doctors. After some medical tests, he was put under medical observation but was discharged subsequently.

Citi News’ presidential correspondent, Sammi Wiafe on Friday evening said the Vice President had returned to his Kanda residence from the Hospital.

It is unclear what ailment the Vice President is suffering from.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bawumia leaves Ghana for UK on medical leave – Presidency appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The document from the presidency also said there are 45 other cars which are not serviceable.

This confirms the claims by the previous administration in a statement it released on Thursday, signed by a former Deputy Chief of Staff, Johnny Osei Kofi.

“It must be placed on record that the use of the BMWs and his personal vehicle if it is true, is not due to the non-availability of presidential vehicles. It is clearly a choice that he made on his own accord” the statement said.

[contextly_sidebar id=”qfo4gaFTS0daBRQZJJDajWpFFgLDHnbj”]“Among the vehicles handed over to the NPP team were two bulletproof salon cars and two bulletproof cross country vehicles specifically dedicated to the use of the President. Both sets of bulletproof vehicles are relatively new and in good condition for the transportation of the President.”

“Added to this is a fleet of almost new Mercedes Benz vehicles. Surely if President Akufo Addo can use 10 year old vehicles, he should be able to use vehicles that are relatively new and in good condition.”

This latest information contradicts claims by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the presidency, that President Akufo-Addo has been compelled to use a 10-year old BMW because there are no cars available for him to use.

Mr. Arhin claimed further that, the President at some point used his private vehicle.

The previous NDC government has denied claims that it did not account for some state vehicles weeks after handing over.

Whereas government insists that some 208 vehicles cannot be accounted for, the previous administration has rejected any allegation of misappropriation, saying the government has put out falsehood on the matter.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Confirmed: 4 bulletproof cars available at Flagstaff House appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, most of these officials buy the properties at prices lower than the value of the properties.

In a Facebook post, the business mogul cum politician questioned if public office holders were being served or they serve instead in the light of such acquisitions.

“TO SERVE OR BE SERVED?: We the people elect MPs, Presidents, house them, help them get transportation plus many other benefits. At the end of their terms of office (every four years), we give them a “Thank You” cash package. We give the Presidents houses to live in. Many public officials turn around to buy official houses at low prices. MPs, ministers of state, party officials and their friends get state lands cheap and sell them for huge profits. Many get licenses and contracts only to turn around and sell them for profit. Many who are unemployed or underemployed and can’t make it in the private sector move mountains for their parties to win power so they can get jobs and solve their asset poverties.”

“And we wonder why we are where we are. Change we can feel must come. Citizens must Wake Up!” Nduom posted.

His post comes at a time when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has lamented that more than 200 state cars have gone missing from the government pool on the NPP’s assumption of office.

Government task-force chasing state assets

Meanwhile, Government has set up a task-force to retrieving state assets unlawfully being held by individuals.

The agencies represented on this task force are the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division) the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the office of the President.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post Citizens must resist grabbing of state properties – Nduom appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) criticized the move, saying it is a cover up for state sponsored thuggery.

[contextly_sidebar id=”H7uxi6vRAVymHO6uaU61sP7n8EQFIfgS”]But speaking in an interview with Citi News, Eugene Arhin said the directive conforms to the laws of Ghana.

“I think it is not legally prudent , or even ethically prudent for any member of the previous administration to hoard any property in their possession so I think the directive from the Chief of Staff is in the right direction .”

He further clarified that, government would “get hold of all public assets which are in possession of some other individuals who were within the previous government.”

He was however quick to emphasize the need for those in charge of the retrieval not to use the exercise as an opportunity to “witch-hunt other government officials, who rightly and rightfully possess properties which of course may belong to themselves.”

Government indicated on Friday that, it had set up a task-force which will focus on retrieving state assets believed to be held by individuals.

The decision followed the seizure of five cars belonging to the National Organiser of the NDC, Kofi Adams, by men believed to be National Security personnel.

But the NDC on Saturday subsequently warned that the task-force could compromise peace and stability .

“The activities of these NPP hoodlums operating under the name ‘invisible Forces’ with tacit approval from elements within the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service, have gone on for several weeks without any noticeable effort by government to take action against them.”

“Instead of condemnation and firm action to end this spate of lawlessness, these criminal elements, loyal to President Akufo-Addo, have received approbation from leading figures within the NPP who have sought to justify their conduct amidst threats to seize more private properties,” a statement issued by the NDC said.

The NDC said it is willing to ensure the recovery of any national assets; but will not tolerate any attacks on its members.

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

The post Retrieval of state assets lawful – Eugene Arhin replies critics appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.