Speaking on The Big Issue, he said it was “a wakeup call and I suspect if every institution is doing that, without any political motive, it’s the best way to go.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”656rLg7vrIcPJjCqHq1wb4ucv4VqNYbq”] 131 radio stations faced sanctions for various offenses including operating with expired licenses.

34 of them have already had their licenses revoked by the NCA for not renewing them even after several notices.

Owners of the radio stations sanctioned for operating with expired licenses, among others, will have to cough up about GHc1.18 billion.

During the inauguration of a nine-member governing council for the NCA in July, the Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu, gave an indication that a day of reckoning was coming for most of these stations.

These sanctions were met with criticism from some sections of the public, including the opposition National Democratic Congress, but Mr. Cudjoe lauded the NCA for putting its foot down.

“What was the previous NCA doing that this new NCA wants to undo? It speaks volumes of the professionalism of the current NCA and its management,” he observed, given that some of the stations were found to have been operating illegally for over 15 years.

The IMANI President acknowledged the criticisms and calls for more leniency from the NCA, but insisted that the Authority could not be seen to be soft when it initially announced the sanctions.

He added that there was still room for some further arbitration between the offending parties and the NCA.

“The statement from the NCA cannot contain appeals for a settlement. It needs to be seen to be cracking the whip. I’m not sure the NCA is not open to arbitration and all those settlements. I am sure they will allow all these stations to come and have those conversations.”

Despite the concerns of a witchhunt of pro-opposition stations because of the partisan nature of some sections of the media space, Mr. Cudjoe added that,”the responsibility also lies on the owners of these media houses to yield to the rules.”

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

The post State agencies must follow in NCA’s footsteps – Franklin Cudjoe appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

President of IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe made the remark in a Citi News interview after screening a documentary produced by the think tank which highlights the president’s first 100 days in government.

The documentary captured the promises and budget of the administration across critical sectors of the economy.

Speaking to Citi News Franklin Cudjoe explained that “what we did was to essentially look at the highlights of some of the important issues –economy, health, energy education, and some other sectors as well.”

“So for us, it was more or less setting the pace to understand the policy design that would encourage the government to realize its visions and promises.  We’ve moved away from trying to grade the performance even though it’s very easy to do. If you ask me, I would have said that it’s satisfactory,” he added.

Divergent views on Akufo-Addo’s 100days

Monday, April, 17, 2017 marked 100 days after President Akufo-Addo took over the administration of the country.

He has described his reign as successful within the period.

His Vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had also said they have so far achieved more than 100 promises since they took over.

But members of the Minority in Parliament have rubbished the achievements describing them as “unimpressive.”

Addressing a press conference at the Parliament House on Tuesday, [April 18, 2017], the Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi, said the NPP’s administration has been characterized by terror due to activities of pro-NPP vigilante groups, Invincible Forces and Delta Force.

“It is sad to say that, for a party that claims to have the men, they have been struggling to find their feet since that shameful inaugural address. They have so far been unconvincing about their mouthwatering campaign promises,” he said.

“They are not creating jobs for the masses, they are not alleviating hardships, same for the 110 ministers and deputy apparatchiks, but they are terrorizing Ghanaians by unleashing their several partisan para-military forces to achieve parochial gains,” he added.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Akufo-Addo’s 100 days performance satisfactory – IMANI appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Cudjoe also indicated that the red tape and the cost involved in securing small scale mining licences contributed to the upscale in illegal mining.

[contextly_sidebar id=”oIQRJvznWFvXrJZ4BY21VYEghFWXu0al”]”This is clearly also a property rights problem. Other countries have solved this when when it has to do with poaching of animals. They have involved the community,” he said on The Big Issue.

“The issue really is not about the illegality of the mining. It is the fact that the bureaucratic nature of securing proper licensing and the cost of getting into mining as well. That is how come they invite the Chinese to come over.”

‘Inequality in the agriculture space’

Mr. Cudjoe also asked government to consider the economic angles to combating illegal mining given that reports indicate that a number of those engaged in the practice favour it over farming.

He explained that, “it is also a combination of the inequality in the agriculture space. How to deal with this matter is an economic one and I am looking at large scale commercial farming that gives people opportunity and rights to be part of it.”

“The alley of gold can never deflect people’s attention if the property rights question is not properly resolved,” The IMANI President concluded.

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

The post Tackle galamsey as a property rights problem – Franklin Cudjoe appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Show details

This week, the show is recorded in Johannesburg.

Gary Al-Smith explores a preview of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs ahead of the Soweto Derby on Saturday. We hear from the Ghana FA and get the latest insight on the sad story of the 21-year-old ref who died in their lower divisions.

Kenyan journalist Jeff Kinyanjui complains about the continuous poor performances in African club events by their teams, veteran journalists Mark Gleeson, Thomas Kwenaite, Jeff Katala and Sizwe Mabena speak on the seeming love affair between Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah and his former boss Milovan Rajevac ahead of the World Cup.

Also Nigeria’s first German-born international Leon Balogun gives his his first interview for African radio. Plus British journalist Dominic Fifield of the Guardian has inside knowledge of the Samuel Eto’o v Jose Mourinho “age cheating” issue.

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Presented by Gary Al-Smith and produced by Nathan Quao/Gary Al-Smith for Citi FM & Supersport.com.

Soundtrack details
Song Title: Someway Bi
Artist Name: M.anifest
Produced by: Yung Fly
Singitdamnit Music/Cumbancha Music Publishing (BMI) 2013

More detail: Twitter.com/FCAfrica or Facebook.com/FCAfricaRadio

Follow @FcAfrica

The post FC Africa ep 2: Leon Balogun interview, Soweto Derby & ref death in Ghana appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.