The Former President appeared to have snubbed the Accra Mayor when the latter hurried from behind to greet him while he motioned into the Parliament building on Thursday for President John Mahama’s last State of the Nation Address.

A section of the public had accused the former President of not handling the situation well, and thus embarrassing the Mayor.

Others said the Mayor called the action upon himself for breaking known diplomatic protocol by walking on the side of a VIP or attempting to engage him in a conversation while he moved on a red carpet.

Ahead of the dissolution of 6th Parliament of the 4th Republic and inauguration of the 7th Parliament, the Accra Mayor, who is also the Member of Parliament-elect for Ablekuma South, was seen in a rather hearty conversation with the Former President.

In what appeared to be an apology to the former President, the Mr. Vandepuije was seen giving some explanations to Mr Rawlings, after which the two were seen shaking hands and subsequently parting company.

Watch the video of what happened between the two on Thursday below:

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

The post Rawlings, Vanderpuije patch up after ‘public drama’ [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Vanderpuije, who was in the area earlier on Monday to assess preparations ahead of the commissioning of the new Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange by President Mahama, said the action was to send a strong signal to pedestrians and persons who operate in the area, that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), will strictly sanction lawbreakers.

In a video shared by GHOne TV on Facebook, two motor riders were seen on their knees pleading with Mr Vanderpuije to let them off the hook.

According to the Accra MCE, their motor bikes will be seized and they will be prosecuted.

“Last week, we came around and made announcement and informed the general public specifically about activities that will not be acceptable here. Okada bikes, biking just anywhere on the pavement, on the road and everywhere; and then riding the bike on the opposite direction of the traffic. So this [Monday] morning, these bikes were found here. About three or four parked here for Okada activities,” he said.

“Secondly, some bikes riding in the opposite direction. These are the elements we will not accept; they are high levels of indiscipline, and we will not accept that. This is an example of me putting my words into action, that we will not tolerate indiscipline over here,” he added.

According to Oko Vanderpuije, the Police and the AMA task Force will be stationed at vantage points of the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, to ensure that all road users and pedestrians comply with the set regulations on safety and order.

Meanwhile the €74 million Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange project, which started some two years ago, is set to be commissioned.

The interchange is expected to address the traffic situation in the area; while saving the  country some $25million annually in value of time wasted in traffic.

Okada business is illegal

Per Ghana’s laws, the use of motorbike for commercial purposes is an illegality.

However, the AMA and the police, have both done very little to stop the growing business which is employing many youth not only in the national capital Accra, but other parts of the country.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Oko Vanderpuije arrests ‘Okada’ operators appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.