Under the performance agreements, the 13 MDAs are required to initiate innovative strategies to generate local revenues with support from the government, geared towards job creation, prosperity and equal opportunity for all citizens.

Key among the areas for improved performance are infrastructure, social services, economic development as well as environment and sanitation. The rest are education, water, health, agriculture and enterprise development.

Speaking at the ceremony in Bolgatanga, Upper East Regional Minister Rockson Bukari, entreated the various Chief Executives to provide resources and political backing, while coordinating directors assemble the resources for achieving the set goals.

Mr. Bukari stressed that the assemblies have no excuse for not meeting the targets set in the contracts.

He urged assemblies to scale up their revenue mobilization strategies and database development to aid their quest to achieve the contract objectives.

The Acting Chief Director of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, Alhaji Mahamadu Azonko, said the RCC will monitor the progress and provide assistance to address any challenges during the implementation of the signed contracts.

He impressed on MDCEs to expedite action on completing and furnishing the RCC with their medium-term plans for the period between 2018 and 2021.

For his part, the Dean of MDCEs in the region, Mr. William Aduum pledged to work in synergy with all key stakeholders to achieve the goals set in the signed contracts.

The ceremony was attended by all the 13 Municipal and District Chief Executives and their Coordinating Directors.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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A letter from the Chief of Staff said all staff of MDAs are to participate in the thorough cleaning of their premises from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

[contextly_sidebar id=”EudYMbaW0Qt0RSvBgsqMEIOTOTQkAHRV”]“In order to ensure the President’s vision to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa, the government has commenced a clean-up campaign to ensure that all parts of the government business district gets rid of filth within that enclave,” the letter stated.

Speaking on this on Eyewitness News, the Sanitation Minister, Kofi Adda, said the exercise is to be a practical demonstration of the government’s commitment to improving sanitation in Accra.

“This is the beginning of the awareness creation among the ministries who constitute the leadership of government business. Once we start it today, we will continue on it and slowly scale up until we are able to get the entire government business cleaned up to the standards we are looking to make Accra the cleanest city.”

According to him, Sanitation Marshals and their deputies are to spearhead to cleaning effort.

These Sanitation Marshals were to be appointed to ensure compliance to sanitation by-laws.

Mr. Adda added that this initiative will continue as long “as it takes to make our city clean.”

“At least every week, ministries would have to be doing that to make sure that everything is done to perfection,” the Minister stated.

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

The post All MDAs to hold two-hour cleanup today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The amount according to the Auditor General’s report, was from financial weaknesses in cash, tax, payroll, procurement, rent and contract irregularities as well as outstanding debts and loans.

The Health Ministry according to the report, recorded the highest financial irregularity of more than Ghc25 million.

[contextly_sidebar id=”cifpVgx0l8BJaHeinK2g6IcoQ9SVIoLC”]Payroll irregularities contributed significantly to the figure, as almost Ghc600, 000 unearned salaries were paid.

On the payroll irregularities, the report said “This was due mainly to payments of unearned salaries to separated staff, as a result of delays in deleting their names from the payroll, and delay in transferring unclaimed pensions and salaries to government chest by the banks.”

The Auditor General further recommended that, coordination between Finance and Human Resource Units within MDAs be intensified for prevention of such situations “as well as recovery of unearned salaries paid to unauthorized personnel.”

The Deputy Minister for Health, Kingsley Aboagye Gyadu, in a Citi News interview after the hearing on Wednesday, said that every ministry will device a mechanism to retrieve all such monies.

“This issue of unearned salary and infractions are almost always common. The unearned salaries are losses to the state, but unsupported payments meant that when the auditors were there, they didn’t see the supporting documents. When we are talking about supporting documents we mean invoices, vouchers, receipts were not provided to the auditors at the time they were doing the audit. But like we said, subsequently they have been provided, the auditors have looked at it and they are okay.”

“With regards to the unearned salaries, I’m going to meet the facilities that had that problem; we will find a way of getting the people to pay back to the government,” he added.

Ghana loses millions yearly

Reports from the Auditor General’s Department had shown that the country loses millions every year through the activities of MDAs, as well as the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.

This compelled pressure group, OccupyGhana, to drag the Auditor General to the Supreme Court for an order, directing the Auditor General to surcharge persons who cause such financial infractions.

According to Occupy Ghana, a thorough study of the Auditor General’s report revealed that, between 2003 and 2014, the total losses the state incurred in “irregularities” arising from Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies was about GH¢2,448,968,912.29.

Retrieve ‘looted’ state cash – Supreme Court orders Auditor General

The Supreme Court in June 2017, ordered the Auditor General to, with immediate effect; begin surcharging persons found to have misappropriated monies belonging to the state.

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

The post Ghc500m wasted by MDAs on unearned salaries, others – Report appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him , employees should desist from engaging in unproductive activities on social media during working hours.

“It is worthy to note that a number of the Professional Classes in the Service have created platforms on social media to share information. While this is laudable, let me caution you against the abuse and misuse of these platforms to propagate falsehood which may be detrimental to the service”, he added.

Ing. Dr. Ato Arthur gave the warning on Tuesday in Sunyani as part of his Nationwide tour of the country.

He further cautioned against the misuse of the assembly’s resources during the transitional period and warned that officers found culpable will face the necessary sanctions.

He maintained government had done a lot to ensure the Local Government System functions effectively and mentioned the introduction of the new Decentralization Policy, Review of Electoral Areas, Composition of Unit Committees, Transfer of Staff from Civil Service to Local Government Service, introduction of District Development Fund and Urban Development Grant as clear examples of the many successes chalked.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh in his welcome address said the ecology of the region makes it a major tourist centre and the food basket of the country, producing about 30% of the nation’s food requirement and therefore called on investors to consider directing their resources to the region.

He tasked MDAs to be innovative, demonstrate leadership and professionalism as a way of contributing to the successful implementation of the decentralization process.

The Regional Minister appealed to Government and the Local Government Service to organize induction training sessions for the new MDCEs to prepare them for effective and efficient administration of the MDAs.

The Chief Director of the OHLGS, Joseph Dasaana explained the engagement was to update staff on new developments at the service, explain new reforms and also afford them the opportunity to have first hand concerns of staff at their work places.

Participants were later schooled on Human Resource (HR) issues, Workings of the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) and ICT.

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By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Stop ‘wasting’ working hours on social media – Local Gov’t Service appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Her warning follows the termination of contracts by some  heads of various MMDAs and MDAs, a few days after they assumed their respective roles.

[contextly_sidebar id=”xNdYJS3s8DdWiPsVg1hzFTFeYkDBMqcE”]The Minister in a statement indicated that, the decision to abrogate these contracts without the Procurement Ministry’s consent, might lead to “unnecessary legal battles between government and contractors which could spark needless and avoidable payment of judgement debts.”

Adwoa Safo clarified that, although she “has no doubt about the competence of heads of entities to make a judgement on what a good contract is from a bad one”, she  believes that it is “always important to seek legal and expert advice before a decision to abrogate a contract is taken.”

Ms Safo has therefore directed that, all queries on some of these contracts should be “directed or be referred to the office of the Minister of State responsible for Public Procurement for further investigations and recommendations.”

Below is the Minister’s full statement 

ABROGATION OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

The Minister of state responsible for Public Procurement, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo has observed with grave concern, recent media publications regarding abrogation of Government Contracts by some MMDA’s and MDAs

She has, therefore, advised all heads of entities within the MMDAS and MDAS to refer all such questionable contracts to her office for expert and legal advice.

The Minister  has no doubt about the competence of heads of entities to make a judgement on  what a good contract is from a bad one, however, she believes it is always important to seek legal and expert advice before a decision to abrogate a contract is taken.

Hon. Adwoa Safo noted that the move will prevent any unnecessary legal battles between government and contractors which could spark needless and avoidable payment of judgement debts.

In effect, she has a letter communicated to all Heads of entities within MMDAS and MDAs to stop terminating contracts forthwith.

Ms Safo has further directed that all queries on some of these contracts should be directed or be referred to the office of the  Minister of State responsible  for Public Procurement for further investigations and recommendations.

Please send all correspondence in the interim to this office:

Office of the Minister of State in charge of Public Procurement

Office of the President – Flagstaff House, Accra

P.M.B 62, Accra -Ghana

Or

Parliament House 9th floor (West Wing), Room 22.

Signed,

HON. SARAH ADWOA SAFO (MP)

MINISTER FOR PROCUREMENT

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

The post Stop abrogating contracts without my consent – Adwoa Safo warns appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

CLICK HERE FOR ARCHIVE OF DAILY SUMMARIES

DAY ONE | DAY TWO  |  DAY THREE  |  DAY FOUR |  DAY FIVE |  DAY SIX 

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Former  Youth and Sports  Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah shed tears on Thursday during the seventh sitting of the commission set up to investigate Ghana’s  participation at  the  World Cup in  Brazil.

A teary and emotional Afriyie Ankrah told the Justice Dzamefe Commission that he felt “devastated” by how much the country’s efforts were thwarted by the issues of bonuses.

This was after the commission chairman, Justice Dzamefe, asked him how he felt when the Black Stars refused to attend two training sessions  before their match against Portugal.

The former minister responded: “My Lord, they were assured that they would definitely get the money before the next match. They are professionals and know very well that they had to train adequately to win matches.

“Eventually, even though the money came on the eve, they still got the money but by not preparing for the match they couldn’t deliver.”

He continued: “The Black Stars resolved not to train ahead of their crucial encounter with Portugal if their appearance fees were not paid…”

The Minister’s words trailed off, as he dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief.

And Elvis wept.

“Honorable, relax,” Justice Dzamefe implored.

“Honorable, relax. We are helping mother Ghana.”

The chairman continued, what appeared to be, consoling the witness as he put the hearings on hold for a few minutes to allow the former sports minister to compose himself.

Ex-minister on why he (nearly) cried: “Because I was sure that even if we didn’t win the World Cup, this team could go very far.”

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) August 21, 2014

Payment of appearance fees The commission asked Afriyie Ankrah why he could  not push for the players to accept the initial $82,500 appearance fee the government touted. “The issue of the appearance fee came up, my Lord, and that is why the leadership of the team –  captain Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, and Michael Essien who  speak for the players – made a formal  request that the 82,500 dollars approved by  cabinet  was not acceptable to them for the following reasons: “1: FIFA had increased the prize money from the last World Cup. 2. They were the ones who toiled and sweat on the field to get the team to the World Cup. 3. They also referred to the status of former players. 4. The players also said that their colleagues from other countries like Cameroon were being paid about 120,000 dollars as appearance fee,” he explained. Throughout the part of the session where he was speaking about money, the ex-minister was emotionally agitated. Could airlifting of $3 million dollars have been avoided?

Amazing: ex-sports minister admits that Ghana players were more powerful than the FA and the govt in negotiating for bonuses. — Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) August 21, 2014

He further said financial transactions in Brazil are very difficult and it involved some security measures.

“After doing everything I had no choice than to involve National Security but as to those details, I will prefer to talk in camera.”

Afriyie Ankrah,  who has now been reassigned to the Presidency as a Minister of State, told the Commission that he had been under serious pressure to cede to the demands of the playing body for their appearance fees to be paid in cash, instead of exercising an electronic option.

The commission peppered the witness on this point, forcing him to agree that he had bowed to player power. But he had his own say.

“I was kowtowed, just as the same was done to the state, to pay the $100, 000,” he said.

He however, denied claims that funds were not available at the time the tournament was ongoing. According to him, the issue had to do with how to get the money to the players since it was difficult doing so electronically.

“There was no budgetary allocation to cater for the 17 percent tax on the transaction [charge in Brazil],” he said.

He added: “It was not about the availability of the money but how to get it to them…The moment the issue of the mode of payment came up the first person I spoke to the Governor of the Bank of Ghana.”

The commission asked how the state had planned to foot extra bills if the team had progressed beyond the group stages, considering the fiasco even at just the group stage.

“My Lord, I have no answer.”

Burden of proof

The former Youth and Sports Minister told the commission that he was still at a loss as to why people would level all sort of allegations against him without providing evidence.

He dismissed reports that he had spent the Ghanaian tax payer’s money and that his wife was the only caterer contracted to cook for the supporters in Brazil.

“My Lord, all the caterers were carefully selected and I believe that the heads of the various committees we set up will provide the appropriate  answers.

“My Lord, I also want to state that my mother never participated in the sale of replica jerseys as was alleged.”

He went on: “People also alleged that I was distributing money, dollars, on the hips of Brazilian women. I never did such a thing, my Lord.”

He further challenged anyone with evidence of his misappropriating the tax payer’s money to come forth with it.

Elvis regrets pushing for supporters to be airlifted by the state. “All the troubles I am facing now is from that.”

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) August 21, 2014

Recommendations

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah made suggestions to the Commission on what he thought should happen in future instances.

He said the players should be committed to a Code of Ethics to ensure  discipline.

On payment  of appearance fees,  he advised that monies should be given to players via electronic  means to avoid the transfer of liquid cash over long distances.

He went ahead to state that qualifying matches for tournaments should also be considered when computations of appearance fees are being done so that players who played active roles in getting the team to a main tournament will also be rewarded.

“Also we need to take a second look at who gets paid appearance fee because  it  is sometimes  unfair to those who play for us to  qualify  for  the World Cup and yet are not selected to play. That should be changed.

An example is Jerry Akaminko, who did so well and yet did not qualify to play for his nation in Brazil.”

Finally, Afriyie Ankrah said government must not be directly involved in sending  supporters  to any  international tournament.

The commission adjourned to resume on Monday, August 25.

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CLICK HERE FOR ARCHIVE OF DAILY SUMMARIES

DAY ONE | DAY TWO  |  DAY THREE  |  DAY FOUR |  DAY FIVE |  DAY SIX 

___

By:  Pearl Akanya Ofori, Nathan Quao & Gary Al-Smith/citifmonline.com/Ghana.

Follow @pearlakanya

Follow @nathanquao2211

Follow @garyalsmith

The post “Conduct of the Black Stars shocked me,” tearful Afriyie Ankrah tells Commission appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

While not mentioning specific institutions and names, the chairman of the commission, Justice Senyo Dzamefe was emphatic about their independence.

“This morning we received a letter from the [Ghana Football Association] addressed to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Honorable  Mahama Ayariga  and copied to us,” he said on Monday at the first sitting at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The letter, Justice Dzamefe said, was dated August 7 and signed by Fifa Deputy Secretary General Markus Kattner.

The world football governing body’s letter sent last Thursday addressed its unease at the insistence on the government of Ghana to look into the Black Stars performance at the World Cup – but the Commission would not admit that their comments were aimed at Fifa.

“I want to state categorically that we are not intimidated by anybody,” Justice Dzamefe insisted.

Postponement

Meanwhile the commission has postponed its sittings  to Wednesday August 13.

The two other members of the commission are lawyer and veteran sports broadcaster Moses  Foh-Amoaning  and  Kofi   Anokye Owusu Darko, rescheduled to allow the institutions subpoenaed ample time to prepare before taking  their turns before the commission.

Four state-institutions were to be present at Monday’s sittings but only three showed up. The Bank of Ghana failed to show up for reasons that remain unclear but the Finance, Foreign Affairs and Sports ministries sent representatives.

Citi News’ Pearl Akanya Ofori reports that the atmosphere at the venue was expectant, but ultimately disappointing as no hearings came off.

Background

In the wake of Ghana’s poor show at the recent World Cup, the Sports Ministry set up a three-member committee to investigate matters of player indiscipline and some poor decisions by the management team, as well as general poor performance in the tournament.

However, President John Mahama later upgraded the setup from a committee to a Commission of Inquiry.

Article 279 of Ghana’s constitution says such a commission “shall have the powers, rights and privileges of the High Court or a Justice of the High Court at a trial.”

In the eyes of Fifa, this simply means the GFA could be on trial from a High Court, which may go contrary to their rules of engagement with member associations.

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By: Pearl Akanya Ofori/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @pearlakanya

The post Brazil 2014 fiasco: “Commission of Inquiry won’t be intimidated” – Chairman appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.