The committee of eminent chiefs at its last meeting in Kumasi at the Manhyia palace resolved that funerals of the late two overlords of Dagbon, Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV and Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II, should be performed in the old Gbewaa palace in Yendi.

A section of the Andani Royals in Dagbon led by the Gukpegu Naa Alhassan Abdulai is opposed to this latest development.

[contextly_sidebar id=”lUHpUT49N1NwCXzkuMnmSOSG6lQlhBoD”]They insisted the alleged kilelrs of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II must be prosecuted first before the funerals.

The Dagbon Students Association in collaboration with the League of Youth Associations and the Dagbon Youth for Peace at a news conference in Tamale, encouraged the Otumfuo-led committee to implement the agenda of performing the final funeral rites of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV and Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II.

The Association’s President, Jagbo Baako told Citi News that the youth of Dagbon were fed up with the age-long impasse between the Abudu and Andani royals.

“We are in support of the performance of all funerals and the subsequent installation of a new Yaa-Naa. We are aware of the fact that the solution of the crisis lies in the hands of our traditional leaders and government should therefore hold them to all agreements that they have signed to in the past.”

He emphasized that “This is not the time to make a ‘U-turn’. We want government to know that it is not only royals that are in Dagbon: the non-royals are saying enough is enough.”

“Their interest alone should not supersede everybody’s interest because even other tribes that are in Dagbon are suffering from this and we need a final solution to this crisis now. The youth are saying enough is enough, we are tired.”

DASA is convinced performing the final funeral rites of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV and Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II could be the panacea to ending the Dagbon the chieftaincy dispute.

Jagbo Baako further asked the Otumfuo-led committee to ignore the machinations of chieftaincy contractors in Dagbon.

“The chieftaincy contractors should realize that they are jeopardizing our future and it is time for us to let them know that we are not ready for that again, enough is enough. We are not going to allow anybody’s action or inaction that stands to jeopardize our future the more and we are out to support anybody or any group of people that are ready to facilitate the peace process of Dagbon.”

He advocated the involvement of leadership of recognized youth groups in the Dagbon Kingdom during the implementation of the roadmap to peace.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Dagbon students back proposal to hold funerals for late Kings appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

His escape sparked unrest in the town culminating in the youth vandalizing a police check point and a police station.

An angry protester, who spoke to Citi News on grounds of anonymity, said they vandalized the station because it has simply failed to serve them.

[contextly_sidebar id=”KP8vWCqycfug7SjWF4832kS0pDf3EpKu”]“This man [Referring to the fugitive] has been eluding the police for long so we the youth managed to arrest him and again he escaped. So what is the use of the police here” he asked.

“What is the essence of the check point? Is it just so the police can take Ghc1.00 from drivers?” They should park and go, we don’t need them” he said.

Kitsi Bright first escaped from the Have police on the 15th of July this year under bizarre circumstances that made the town folk suspect foul play, accusing the police of taking bribe to allow the criminal to escape.

On Monday December 27th 2015, Citi News sources in the town said, Bright had been arrested by the youth and handed over to the police, after he had beaten up his uncle and attempted to butcher his grandfather only for him to escape again under the watch of the police.

News of his escape went viral and rumours were rife that they police have been compromised again. This time, the angry youth chose to vent their spleen on the police thereby vandalizing the police station.

But for the timely intervention of the Ho SWAT team, the story would have been different.
On Wednesday, the Volta Regional Command of the Ghana Police service was in Have to reassure the youth of their commitment to recapture the suspect.

The Afadjato South District Commander, Tsumasi Ankrah, offered a reward of GHC 500 to anyone who will give credible information leading to the arrest of the escapee.

By 5:30pm the same day, the felon was located at a hideout in the outskirts of the town, where he was arrested by the town folks and handed over to the police again.

Speaking to Citi News, the District Commander, Twumasi Ankrah, confirmed the re-arrest of Bright and explained that he is currently in police custody at Kpando while investigation continues. Bright is wanted for among other things, stealing, inflicting machete wounds on people and terrorising the community.

The police have also commenced investigation into circumstances surrounding his escape and have promised that nobody will be shielded if found culpable.

There have been several cases of jailbreak this year across the country with the police administration doing very little to curtail it.
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By: Gratham Mckintosh/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Have youth vandalize police station to protest ‘criminal’s’ escape appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The suspect, Mercy Nyamekye, 40 years, who’s on the run, lived in the same house with the deceased, who is a branch executive of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) at Bibiani Zongo.

Confirming the incident to Citi News, the Bibiani Ahwiaso-Bekwai District Police Commander, Superintendent Nana Kumi, said the deceased played a vital role in reuniting the suspect with her husband, after they had divorced shortly after their wedding.

Superintendent Nana Kumi said in what appears to be a fight over another man, Mercy Nyamekye, who was supposed to be staying happily with her husband who’s the Landlord, started picking quarrels with Amina about a new tenant in the house, whose name was only given as Moses.

He said confusion broke out some two months ago between the two after the suspect, accused Amina Moro of having an affair with Moses, something which did not go down well with her since she also appeared interested in Moses.

The constant misunderstanding according to the Police Commander, compelled Moses to move out of the house.

Superintendent Kumi further explained that on December 28, Amina and Moses who still had a close relationship, decided to visit Mercy’s husband, who is the Landlord.

“Between 9 and 10pm, Moses saw Amina on the streets and decided that they should go and wish the Landlord Joseph Nyanu and his wife Mercy Nyamkye a merry Christmas. On their way, Mercy Nyamekye hurriedly bypassed them and got to the house before the two arrived. When the two arrived, a scuffle ensued between Amina and Mercy again that required the intervention of the Mercy’s husband.”

The Police Commander said Mercy Nyamekye continued her scuffle with Amina but was stopped by her husband Joseph Nyanu, who locked her [Mercy] in the room, to prevent her from fighting Amina.

Unknown to Mr. Joseph Nyaunu, his wife jumped out of the room through the window, and stormed Amina’s room, where she stabbed her in the chest with a pair of scissors and a knife.

She absconded after the incident. Amina Moro died whiles she was being taken to the Bibiani Government Hospital.

Superintendent Kumi told Citi News the police are on the lookout for Mercy Nyamekye. The body of Amina, a Muslim, is undergoing Islamic rituals for burial.

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By: Obempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Woman stabbed to death in a ‘fight over a man’ appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A dildo is an object having the shape and often the appearance of an erect penis, used in sexual stimulation.

Wisa is facing prosecution for exposing his genitals on stage at Citi FM’s Christmas Eve concert, Decemba 2 Rememba concert on Thursday, December 24.

Social media platforms are awash with videos of Wisa stripping and rubbing his manhood behind his female dancer on stage.

[contextly_sidebar id=”HpHFdOCAFXSiSMluchTtoE2jYuXdAUjC”]He appeared before an Accra Circuit Court today [Wednesday] after he was arrested, charged and admitted to bail .

Although Wisa has acknowledged his act and called it irresponsible in an apology statement, his Lawyer told journalists after today’s court appearance, that his client will only be proven guilty if it is established that what he showed to the live audience on that fateful day was his genitals.

“Do you know what a dildo is? So if you know what a dildo is and you know what you can get from different sex shops all over the world then you can understand where we are coming from basically. What you saw in there is a perception. He is dissatisfied with the perception that you have. What you saw, to you it’s a dick or it looks like a dick. Can you prove that it was a dick?,” he queried.

The lawyer further complained about the negative perception that had been created since the incident occurred, saying “The perception created is very negative. It doesn’t mean what he did or what he’s alleged to have done is an acceptance of whatever people are saying he did basically. This matter is in court and it shall be determined in court and we will display and come to the bottom of this matter in court.”

“He [wisa] has pleaded not guilty and we will proceed to determine the matter in court. If you run into the definition of art, it runs from paintings to music, to dance and culture and to everything artistic and it is broad,” he argued.

The case has been adjourned to the 13th of January 2015.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Wisa showed a dildo, not his genitals – Lawyer appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The three-paragraph statement signed by Kweku Sersah-Johnson, Head of Public Affairs, for the Power Minister, said ” the Ministry of Power wishes to inform the public that its load shedding programme in respect of electricity supply has been brought to an end”.

“The Ministry takes this opportunity to express its profound gratitude and appreciation to the entire citizenry and residents of Ghana for their forbearance and understanding during those difficult times”.

[contextly_sidebar id=”L4SX5u9Prjar0Cz22SuYCMTdSDu5TvLB”]”The Ministry of Power and its agencies wish to assure the public that it shall continue to pursue policies and programmes to consolidate the gains so far made in the generation and transmission of electricity for the country” the statement concluded.

The announcement is timely and significant as Ghanaians were eagerly looking forward to the resignation of the Power Minister Dr. Kwabena Donkor, who had repeatedly promised to resign by the end of the year if load shedding or ‘dumsor’ persists.

It is however unclear how Ghanaians will receive this announcement considering that the Power Minister recently gave different meanings to ‘dumsor’ and load shedding.

In his view, load shedding occurs when there is inadequate power and so consumers share what is available.

He said ‘dumsor’ refers to intermittent outages caused by technical faults which can happen at any time and cannot always be controlled.

If his explanation is anything to go by, then the latest announcement would mean that he has fulfilled his promise a day to January 2016, and can therefore escape the wrath of Ghanaians by ending load shedding.

The announcement would also mean that the country has now met its generation capacity and would not have to share power anymore.

In the last four years, Ghana has not had stable supply of power as demand has outstripped supply.

But in the last two years, the crisis deepened with the country suffering job losses as industries cut down on their intake to remain in business.

Small scale enterprises have also not been spared the effects of the crisis coupled with an unstable currency that made life more difficult.

Government has in recent times implemented some initiatives to make up for the shortfall in power supply.

These include the Karpower Barge from Turkey which docked at the Tema Port this December to produce 225 megawatts of power.

A second power barge is also expected in the first quarter of 2016.

Government has also secured ten power plants from the UAE-based Ameri Energy, which have since been connected to the national grid.

The Ghana Gas Company upon a request from the Volta River Authority (VRA) shut down its facility at Atuabo on November 23, to allow the AMERI Power Plant, to be connected to the supply of gas.

Ghana Gas is currently supplying gas to the VRA to power its plants despite the VRA’s huge indebtedness to them for the gas supplied over a long period of time.

Ghana Gas recently warned that it could shut down completely if the VRA did not honour its debt obligations since it needed to fix faulty equipment to supply gas effectively.

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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AfanyiDadzie

The post Load shedding is over – Power Ministry appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A vehicle with a huge number of cartridges was  on Monday impounded by custom officials at the Aflao border in the Volta Region last week.

[contextly_sidebar id=”xignlHMuLV0SrWlyI32S1lK8cIuqfwlI”]Custom officers in the region impounded the vehicle which was carrying over one million packs of short cartridges or bullets together with sealed packs of dried leaves believed to be Indian hemp.

According to officials, the same vehicle has made about six entries into Ghana per the records, and it is feared the same items were being cart into the country from either Nigeria or Togo.

The items were concealed in a compartment on the floor of the vehicle.

About a fortnight ago, police in the Ashanti Region also arrested an Ivorian national with a large cache of arms and ammunition.

Speaking on these developments, the former National Security boss described the news as disturbing particularly when the country will go to the polls in 2016.

“It is worrisome if it is 1 million cartridges; but I noticed that it is the cartridges for the short gun . All the same, I would like to find out whether they were meant for local consumption or they went for re-smuggling outside Ghana. Everything that has to do with arms and ammunition being smuggled, and that is a cause for worry,” he said.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Influx of arms, ammunition worrying – Former Security Coordinator appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The party says it has picked up information that its former presidential candidate, Hassan Ayariga, is luring PNC members into endorsing forms for a new party he is spearheading.

[contextly_sidebar id=”fzuRa5V4PQmG0faJe4N25BUatuhXY7ws”]The General Secretary of the PNC, Atik Mohammed, told Citi News some party members have already signed the forms.

He is thus calling on the members who appended their signatures unwillingly to take immediate steps to renounce it.

“Some expressed concern that they had been deceived or tricked into signing some documents so we asked that all those who did that should immediately write to the Electoral Commission to renounce whatever signatures”

Hassan Ayariga announced his decision to break away from the party after he was defeated in the party’s congress last month.

He claimed he was unfairly treated at the congress that saw his defeat.

He was beaten by Dr. Edward Mahama, a 70-year old man who returned to the race after  leading the party from 1996 to 2008.

Mr. Ayariga lost with 426 votes as Dr. Edward Mahama polled 492.

Mr. Ayariga performance in the 2012 elections was criticised and he was blamed as the PNC polled  just 0.22% of the total votes.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post PNC moves to stop members from joining Ayariga’s ‘new party’ appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In the delayed primary which was held on Tuesday December 29, the Minister of Food and Agriculture won by landslide polling 14, 610 of the total votes cast.

His closest contender, Sylvanus Amedorme, polled 1,375, whiles Famous Kuadagah polled a meager 637 votes.

[contextly_sidebar id=”BCNWGnNSyxMl65ue0KtSBXTrHqzVdI6u”]340 votes were rejected.

The constituency has a total number of 32,637 registered voters.

The Ketu South election like others in the Volta Region and elsewhere, was suspended following a court injunction application that was secured by one of the aspirants, Jim Yao Morti, who accused the party’s leadership of an unfair disqualification.

He went to an Accra High Court to challenge his disqualification but his application was thrown out by the court, allowing the primary to be conducted.

Citi News’ Volta Regional Correspondent, King Norbert, said there was low voter turnout largely due to the delay in conducting the primary as well as the ongoing Christmas festivities.

He also blamed the situation on a perceived voter apathy borne out of people’s disappointment in the performance of the MP and the subsequent disqualification of Mr. Jim Yao Morti, who according to observers, could have posed a stiffer challenge to Mr. Kwetey had he contested.

There is still one outstanding primary in the Volta Region in Nkwanta South, which is also on hold due to disagreements spearheaded by disqualified aspirants.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AfanyiDadzie

The post Fiifi Kwetey wins Ketu South NDC primary massively appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The constituency members and branch executives, have through their lawyers, 1st Law Legal Practitioners/Consultants, served notice they may be forced to settle the matter in court, if the party does not take steps to investigate it and get the MP to revoke his position before the polls in 2016.

According to them, they have picked up information that the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency, is waiting for an opportune time to contest the MP’s eligibility, a situation that could cripple the party in the 2016 elections, hence the need for an urgent intervention to settle the matter.

“Our clients inform us that since the MP was introduced to contest the 2008 parliamentary elections by the party, rumours have been making the rounds in and out of the constituency touching on his eligibility to hold office due to his dual nationality, both of our Republic and of the United States of America. Our clients further inform us that the party’s lack of urgency in tackling the rumours by investigating and resolving them has left the fortunes of the party in the Constituency badly adrift, and led to the crystallization of these rumours into real and veritable truth.”

In the letter addressed to the General Secretary of the NDC Johnson Asiedu Nketia, and copied to the Eastern Regional NDC Chairman, the Constituency Chairman and the office of the MP, the petitioners said, rumors about the MP being a citizen of the United States and Ghana, has gained grounds with some veritable facts emerging.

They are asking the party to get the MP to revoke his position so they can field a new eligible person ahead of the elections.

“As party members at the grassroots, our clients have had several encounters and interactions with party supporters that have been humbling and instructive. Our clients say to us that, party members spanning the length and breadth of the constituency want a great champion with great qualities, who can put up an impressive showing at the national parliamentary elections and steer the party through some of its brightest days in the constituency”.

“As you may be aware, the 1992 Constitution; as well as the Constitution of the NDC prohibits dual citizens from occupying the office of a Member of Parliament. It is our clients’ request that the party sets in motion a process of determining the true nationality status of the MP and put this seemingly innocuous, long-neglected, but potentially damaging matter to final rest and firm resolution.”

“Our client intimate to us that in order to achieve the NDC dream of equal opportunity , social mobility, ever more perfect democracy and the ‘Better Ghana Agenda’ for the Upper West Akim Constituency, this matter of the nationality of the MP, must be conclusively determined devoid of rancid, openly discriminatory comments and acrimony”.

In conclusion, the letter said “Our clients hope that you will regard this letter as an eloquent statement of a matter of enormous concern to the party, and a persuasive appeal to forge solutions in the party’s and national interest.”

The Upper West Akim Constituency has been a safe seat for the NDC, with the incumbent MP occupying it since 2008.

Citi News sources say although the issue about his alleged dual citizenship is known to many in the party; they quietly supported his bid till now.

It is quite unclear why the same members who supported his candidature have now revived the issue. The NPP in the last election closed the gap by about 3,000 votes.

Ghana’s laws bar anyone from contesting for the position of MP unless the foreign nationality has been renounced for a period of time before an election.

In 2012, an NPP MP for Bawku Central, Adamu Sakande, was ordered to vacate his seat and jailed after a cattle farmer, sued him for holding dual citizenship, forgery of passport and for deceiving public officers to be elected as MP.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post NDC members want Upper West Akim MP out over ‘dual citizenship’ appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The manufacturers lament the influx of imported bagged cement coupled with a reduction in freight value of the product is detrimental to their business.

[contextly_sidebar id=”w6BBpkGzoMA1oscqSNtzEGxb1OUgOKSC”]In their bid to get their concerns addressed, they have petitioned the Ministry of Trade, Tariff Advisory  Board  and  the Commissioner  of the  Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

Their petition comes on the back of a recent demonstration by the youth of Aflao over similar concerns.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Chairman of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana, Rev. Dr. George Dawson Amoah, said the local industry needs  to be protected in order for them to be sustained.

“How do you encourage a local industry to expand and to invest then you keep a blind eye and encourage what we call imports? If the private sector is the engine of growth, then why don’t we encourage the private sector here in Ghana to utilize its capacity? he quizzed.

“If the Chinese government is actually subsidizing and even giving discounts for them to actually import into their country, then it is also an issue because the problem is that, then what safe measures are putting in place as a country to protect the local industry?”

Cement producers in the country particularly Diamond Cement, which has its factory in Aflao, has expressed concern about the influx of imported Dagonte cement into the country.

Angry  youth in Aflao recently demonstrated against the government’s seeming silence warning the trend could threaten their jobs and livelihood since they could be laid off due to unfair competition to their local employer.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Save us from collapse – Local cement manufacturers cry out appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.