The pro-New Patriotic Party vigilante group, Invincible Forces, is suspected to be behind the chaos that ensued during the election.

[contextly_sidebar id=”PC9kWdI9Gd0Ro5KI8qQ2RXUsQCbQVmUm”]The police in a statement said the disturbances amounted to “a breach of peace.”

The DCE nominee for Ada East, Sarah Dugbakie, was eventually confirmed amid the confusion and allegations of police interference, where some assembly members were said to have been assaulted despite police presence.

Some 17 assembly members from Ada East have lodged a complaint relating to assault with the police, and the Regional Police Commander, is expected to expedite action on the matter.

Following the incident, a Council of State Member, Dr. Nii Kotei Dzani, charged the police administration to sanction its personnel who stood by as the alleged assaults and confusion took place.

The police cited Dr. Kotei Dzani’s comments as one of the reasons the directive was given by the IGP.

“The directive was given after the IGP and some Police Management Board Members reviewed a report from the Tema Regional Police Commander on the incident, statements made by Dr. Kotei Dzani, a member of the Council of State and Mr. Simon Arthur, the Presiding Member of Ada East Assembly, and TV3’s coverage of the incident,” the police statement said.

The police has also appealed to anybody who witnessed the incident to report “directly” to the Tema regional Police Commander.

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

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Dr. Dzani, in a statement after the incident on Friday, said he was ashamed to review video footage of the incident, “which clearly showed some police personnel standing idle at the premises where the regrettable incidents took place.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”LnEqSNBZNGRCEJdAGMXnjQn18GqC5P07″]He thus urged the Police administration to “take urgent steps to identify and punish those officers who abdicated their duties publicly” to redeem the police service’s image amid concerns the police have often treated such incidents lightly.

“I charge all relevant security agencies to rise to their constitutional mandate and combat the creeping lawlessness in our midst, no matter the affiliations of the instigators of such violent occurrences… In this particular instance, I am committed to seeing through the processes that will ensure justice for all who fell victim to this afternoon’s aggression and violence,” Dr, Dzani added.

The DCE nominee for the Ada East, Sarah Dugbakie, was confirmed amid violence and reports of manipulation by the police and members of Invincible Forces.

Confusion ensued among some Assembly Members and the vigilante group despite police presence.

Find below the full statement

HON. DR. NII KOTEI DZANI CONDEMNS ATTACK ON ADA EAST DISTRICT ASSEMBLY

————————————

It was with profound sadness that I received the news this afternoon of an attack on members of the Ada East District Assembly during confirmation polls for the nominated District Chief Executive (DCE), allegedly perpetrated by the so-called “Invisible Forces”, a notorious vigilante group.

In this moment, I wish to express my solidarity with the victims of this cowardly attack, innocent Ghanaians peacefully discharging their democratic duties. As a country, it is time we rid ourselves of factionalism of all kinds, especially those borne out of political divisions, in order that we can pull together as one people working to realize a common vision of development and prosperity for our country and people.

I was ashamed to view video footage of the incident, which clearly showed some police personnel standing idly by at the premises where the regrettable incidents took place. I urge the Police Administration to take urgent steps to identify and punish those officers who abdicated their duties so publicly, in order to restore the reputation of the Police Service in the eyes of the public.

Further, I wish to remind all government appointees to be mindful of the fact that it is from the same Constitution that all of us derive our offices, irrespective of the level in the governance structure in which we serve. That is why we must all be tolerant and respectful of each other and condemn behaviours that project violence against one another.

I charge all relevant security agencies to rise to their constitutional mandates and combat the creeping lawlessness in our midst, no matter the affiliations of the instigators of such violent occurrences. It is only by uniformly and consistently applying the law that the needed deterrence would be established against those that operate outside the boundaries of the law. In this particular instance, I am committed to seeing through the processes that will ensure justice for all who fell victim to this afternoon’s aggression and violence.

As always, I stand ready to offer my support in any way I can to achieve a harmonious society for all who reside within this beautiful land of our birth.

—SIGNED—

HON. DR. NII KOTEI DZANI

(Member, Council of State)

03/11/17

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

The post Ada East confusion: Punish negligent police – Nii Kotei Dzani appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

But even before Akufo-Addo crosses that period, the Center for Democratic Development, CDD-Ghana, has registered its displeasure with some decisions taken by government.

CDD Ghana in a statement released on Wednesday, although commended government for speedily assembling its team in real time, it was not happy with the number of ministers the President appointed.

[contextly_sidebar id=”BPcRFbnEHB9ZfMmVbKqYhkTKMQXE3own”]According to CDD Ghana, the 110 ministers assembled by the President will put pressure on the public purse.

“CDD-Ghana feels badly disappointed by president Akufo-Addo’s decision to appoint 110 ministers. It flies in the face of the president’s own declared commitment to protect the public purse as well as its longstanding good governance advocates’ campaign for meaningful reduction in the size of government and resultant government spending. We believe that the appointments of so many politicians to manage the state bureaucracy will further deepen its politicisation and undermine its authority,” statement added.

CDD-Ghana was also not happy with government’s seeming silence on attacks perpetrated by some vigilante groups affiliated to the NPP, namely Delta Forces and Invincible forces.

“First, the many instances of NPP-affiliated vigilante groups’ forceful takeover of state assets and public facilities (including toilets, toll booths, school feeding programs, etc.) and the unlawful seizure of vehicles of members of the previous administration put a dent on the hitherto smooth transition process. Worse still, the failure of government, and law enforcement agencies to deal decisively with the NPP-affiliated vigilante groups, mainly the Delta and Invincible Forces, that invaded sensitive government installations such as the passport office and Tema Ports and Harbor, appears to have encouraged the recent brazen attacks on the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator and a Circuit Court in Kumasi, by the so-called Delta Force.”

CDD-Ghana further chastised government for hurriedly sacking Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives as well as heads of some state agencies.

It added that, such practices are inconsistent with good corporate governance practices.

“We are also disturbed by the continuity in practice after electoral turn-overs whereby the chief executive officers and senior managers of public agencies and parastatals are summarily removed or asked to ‘proceed on leave,’ and to handover to a caretaker officer/acting CEO. Such actions are inconsistent with good corporate governance practices, it fosters politicization of the public service as well as political exclusion, and undermines the fight against winner takes all politics. The Center deems the interpretation of who is a political appointee under Section 14 (6) in the Presidential Transition Act 2012 too broad and badly in need of review informed by best practice,” the statement added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The group, numbering 20, on Monday stormed the premises demanding the immediate removal of the Regional manager, arguing that they could not work with him.

Although the police secured the premises, the office still remains locked.

[contextly_sidebar id=”hyKfgvFxx81GgVbUUcYqGZAIfp6v0o0b”]Speaking to Citi News, the Eastern Regional Police PRO, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, said the Police service was still working to ensure maximum security at the premises before the office can be opened.

“Tuesday morning we were there, the office still remained closed. The other offices are opened so work is ongoing there; but that of the regional managers office remains closed. There are behind the scene moves to ensure that the place is opened as soon as possible. As we speak now, no arrest has been made.”

“The issue is that, some persons came to the office and closed it and that was why we were called in to ensure that nothing is destroyed there. That did not happen so we are looking into the matter of the closure,” he explained.

Invincible forces attacks

There have been several attacks perpetrated by vigilante groups aligned to the governing party.

For instance, about a week ago, a vigilante group in the Ashanti Region, Delta Forces, attacked the Regional Security Coordinator, George Adjei.

The key suspect in that assault, Kwadwo Bamba, who is believed to be the organizer, allegedly stormed the premises of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council with some thugs, demanding the removal of Mr. Adjei.

In another instance, one ASP Nanka-Bruce, who served at the Flagstaff House under the NDC administration, was attacked by some of these groups.

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

The post Police yet to arrest Invincible Forces for locking NHIS office appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

They claim they cannot work with the Regional Manger, whom they allege is an outsider and not part of the NPP.

Confirming the incident to Citi News, the Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, said the Invincible Forces who besieged the office at 8:20 am, also demanded for some documents from staff of the scheme.

[contextly_sidebar id=”GLnNxGuFdeXqT0XASfF35xWtxHUH3Sjb”]“They came in, entered the office of the new scheme manager for the region, who has been appointed, and took the keys to the office and locked up the offices.”

This act comes less than a week after another vigilante group in the Ashanti Region, Delta Forces, attacked the Regional Security Coordinator, George Adjei.

The key suspect in that assault, Kwadwo Bamba, who is believed to be the organizer, allegedly stormed the premises of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council with some thugs, demanding the removal of Mr. Adjei.

Aside this development, there have been several attacks believed to  have been orchestrated by groups and persons affiliated to the  NPP.

The most recent ones involved the former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Rachel Appoh, and one ASP Nanka-Bruce, who served at the Flagstaff House under the NDC administration.

Various groups and individuals have expressed concern about this recurring problem, and have asked government to crack the whip.

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) is one of such groups which has called on government to take action.

Prof Edmund Delle, Chairman of the CPP, who made the appeal on behalf of the party, expressed outrage with the attitude of the pro-NPP groups, saying “they are a time-bomb, we must detonate them immediately.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post NPP’s Invincible forces allegedly lock up NHIS office appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the heavily-built men who were dressed in black T-shirts with the inscription “invisible forces”, they were at the port to ensure they were given jobs as security guards at the Port since they have sacrificed a lot for the party.

[contextly_sidebar id=”SqHgaax1V22wmko1FpCBYvAsuLUdNB22″]The Commander of the Tema West Invisible Forces, Ibrahim Iddrisu, said “we are not at the terminal to take over the place, but rather to fight for our right to work because we have actually sacrificed for the party and we deserve to be acknowledged and given employment here at the Port.”

He said members of the invisible forces are the right people to be given employment at the Port considering the role they played as security guards during the NPP campaign.

“We are the right persons for the job because we were the same guys they used during the campaign and we will not allow anybody to come and enjoy from our sweat,” he lamented

As of the time Citi News got to the Golden Jubilee Terminal Monday morning, the police and port security had managed to convince the invisible forces out of the main Golden Jubilee terminal yard, and were rather standing at the entrance of the yard with some motorbikes parked around them.

Mr. Iddrisu further explained that, on Saturday, they had information that some party executive members had issued letters to some party members to be employed at the Port without the knowledge of the Invisible Forces.

“It was on Saturday that we had information that some letters had been issued to some persons to work at the Port as security personnel without the knowledge of we the Invisible forces. So we decided to come here today to ensure they don’t work.”

Mr. Iddrissu however noted that, they are sending a strong signal to the President that they would not allow non-members of the Invisible Forces to be recruited as security personnel in the Police, army or any institutions because they have suffered for the party.”

“We are the ones who suffered for the party so if there is any recruitment to be done to the security services, we should be given the first priority,” he said.

Another member of the forces who gave his name as Ismail, threatened that, “if the President and the party refuse to heed to our signal, we shall move to next stage and they won’t be happy.”

Closed-door meeting with port management

The Public Relations Manager for the Tema Port, Mrs. Joana Adda, when contacted, noted that the grievances expressed by the members of the invisible forces has nothing to do with GPHA, and assured the public to relax and have confidence in the Tema Port as its operations were going on smoothly.

The Port public relations outfit together with the Tema Regional Police and the GPHA Security Manager and the leadership of the Invisible forces, were called into a closed-door meeting where they were made to understand the implications of their actions.

Calm has since returned to the Golden Jubilee terminal, as the invisible forces moved out after the meeting with the management and the security officials.

–

By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Alleged NPP ‘macho men’ besiege GPHA for jobs appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is according to the Central Regional Minister, Aquinas Tawiah Quansah.

[contextly_sidebar id=”rgTdGHyw7PFqPpH3S05t8O6eDYRGZjp1″]According to him, UNICEF has the problem captured in it’s report and was planning to collaborate with the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) to mitigate the situation.

Through the UNICEF/PPAG collaboration, child prostitutes in the metropolis would be mobilised and given some vocational training to help them generate income, since poverty could be the top-most factor for engaging in such activity.

The result of the survey also comes three months after the Regional Minister had stated that child prostitution was on the rise in the metropolis.

Mr. Quansah was speaking as the guest of honour at the official opening of the 15th Biennial Delegates’ conference of the Cape Coast Diocese of the Association of Methodist Church Choirs Ghana (GHAMECC) at Elmina over the weekend.

He also appealed to the Methodist Church to think of ways to help keep the children out of prostitution.

The four-day conference is on the theme “Witnessing to Christ, Holistic Spirituality and Service for Current and Succeeding Generation.”

–

GNA

The post Cape Coast tops child prostitution in Ghana- UNICEF Report appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Joseph Akapor who resides at Winneba pleaded guilty to the charge and the court accordingly jailed him.

[contextly_sidebar id=”gGpVD76gIAJADj2xWc31b4R8kpkAadCx”]Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Opoku Mensah told the court presided over by Justice Abigail Enimel Asare that the victim is a pupil at Winneba and lives with her parents at Anyan-Ye-Aboah, a community near the Police Command and Staff College at Winneba whilst the convict also lives in the vicinity.

On May 25,  at about 1000 hours the victim was sent by the mother and the convict lured her and had sex with her.

The victim informed the mother of her ordeal and the matter was reported to the Winneba branch of Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service.

Akapor was subsequently arrested.

Source: GNA

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Kwame Badu was charged with murder contrary to section 46 of Act 29/60 and would reappear on July 31, 2015.

[contextly_sidebar id=”QYqtAc7WF1jiMIsCJ5g5rpvfTWILNBsX”]Briefing the court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Plange Brew, Chief Inspector Fabbian Sallah said; Kwame Badu the accused comes from Gomoa Lome but lives at Bomoden village near Akim Aprade with Madam Abena Dua, 46, the deceased.

On July 15 at about 0820 hours, Mr Yaw Foh, a witness in the case reported to the Akim Aprade Police that, during the night of July 14, this year, a misunderstanding ensued between the accused and the deceased and in the process, Badu slashed the deceased on her right upper temple with a cutlass.

According to the prosecution, the police went to the scene and conveyed the corpse to the Akim Oda Government Hospital for autopsy.

The accused was later arrested from his hide out.

–
Source: GNA

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She said cases like rape, robbery, defilements and the use of offensive weapons are felonies that attract custodial sentences and should be handled by the courts and not chiefs and opinion leaders.

[contextly_sidebar id=”dFxLYiMCEFby4N4zBxpFV8dxbsX1vjP6″]Chief Justice Wood made the appeal in a speech read on her behalf by Mr Justice Denis Adjei, an Appeal Court Judge, at the inauguration of a Circuit and District Magistrate Court at Odupongkpehe Ofaako in Awutu-Senya East Municipality.

The project was funded by DANIDA.

She pointed out that people who allegedly indulge in criminal acts should be put before the courts for prosecution saying, “the main essence of setting up of courts is to ensure expeditious settling of cases to help bring sanity in the society.”

The Chief Justice advised the staff who were going to work at the facility to live up to expectation by ensuring that they issued out receipts of payments to people who filed their documents for litigation.

She urged the public to report any court official who would fail to issue out receipts.

The Chief Justice commended the chiefs for releasing the land for the construction of the courts and appealed to them to continue to contribute their quota for purpose for which the facility was established.

Dr Adams Nuhu, the Awutu-Senya East Municipal Chief Executive, said high population growth had a link with the high incidence of crime and expressed the hope that the provision of the facility would go a long way to help reduce criminal activities.

Nai Awoshie Tetteh, the Chief of Odupongkpehe Ofaako commended the government for the honour done the area and gave the assurance that they are ever ready to release land for the construction of a municipal hospital and other projects.

Abokuadi Wyettey Agyeman Otabil III, the Paramount Chief of Awutu Traditional area chaired the ceremony.

Source: GNA

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