Paddock Archives - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always https://citifmonline.com/tag/paddock/ Ghana News | Ghana Politics | Ghana Soccer | Ghana Showbiz Wed, 04 Oct 2017 06:30:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.8 https://citifmonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-CITI-973-FM-32x32.jpg Paddock Archives - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always https://citifmonline.com/tag/paddock/ 32 32 Las Vegas shooting: Paddock placed cameras in hotel https://citifmonline.com/2017/10/las-vegas-shooting-paddock-placed-cameras-in-hotel/ Wed, 04 Oct 2017 06:30:39 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=358865 Stephen Paddock, the gunman who killed 58 people and injured more than 500 in Las Vegas on Sunday, set up a number of cameras in and around his hotel suite. Two cameras in the hallway and one in the peephole allowed him to see if “law enforcement or security” were approaching, police said. Officers are […]

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Stephen Paddock, the gunman who killed 58 people and injured more than 500 in Las Vegas on Sunday, set up a number of cameras in and around his hotel suite.

Two cameras in the hallway and one in the peephole allowed him to see if “law enforcement or security” were approaching, police said.

Officers are still trying to determine why Paddock, 64, opened fire on a concert from the Mandalay Bay Hotel.

However, they do know there was a high degree of planning.

The authorities in Las Vegas revised the death toll down from 59 on Tuesday evening, saying that one of the bodies was that of the gunman.

Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo told reporters: “This individual was pre-meditated. Obviously pre-meditated, the fact that he had the type of weaponry and the amount of weaponry in that room.

“It was pre-planned extensively and I’m pretty sure he evaluated everything he did in his actions.”

Undersheriff Kevin McMahill suggested the attack may have stopped when Paddock was disturbed, shooting a security guard.

The shooting – the worst in modern US history – has sparked debate over US gun laws, but President Donald Trump has said the discussion over what, if anything, needs to be done was “not for now”.

He earlier described Paddock as “a sick man, a demented man”.

But a senior US homeland security official, speaking on condition of anonymity to news agency Reuters, said there was “no evidence” of “mental illness or brain damage”.

Nor have police found links to any foreign or domestic terrorist organisations.

Paddock, who appears to have killed himself before police stormed his hotel room, had no criminal record and was not known to police.

However, police found 23 guns in Paddock’s hotel room, as well as firearms and explosives at his home. In total, across three locations, 47 firearms have been recovered, officials said.

Photos from the hotel room of guns used in the attack have been obtained by Boston 25 News.

Police still consider the woman thought to have been his girlfriend, Marilou Danley, “a person of interest”, he said, adding they were “in conversation”.

Ms Danley had been in the Philippines, but flew out of the country, the Philippine immigration bureau spokeswoman told reporters and has now arrived in Los Angeles.

The shooting has prompted calls for reform to US gun laws.

But Mr Trump – who has been backed by the National Rifle Association, and spoke often of protecting the Second Amendment during his campaign – has tried to steer clear of leaning too far either way.

After visiting Puerto Rico on Tuesday, he said “perhaps that [time] will come” for a debate.

Earlier, he had said: “We’ll be talking about gun laws as time goes by.”

Mr Trump, whose position on gun control has changed over the years, gave no further detail.

Mr Trump also declined to call the attack domestic terrorism.

What do we know of the gunman?

Paddock, a former accountant with a big gambling habit, lived in a community of senior citizens in the small town of Mesquite, north-east of Las Vegas.

He reportedly shared his house there with Marilou Danley. Initially police had said she was in Japan rather than the Philippines and discounted her involvement.

Nineteen firearms, some explosives and several thousand rounds of ammunition with electronic devices were found at the property.

Officers also found ammonium nitrate in Paddock’s car. The chemical compound used in fertilisers can be a component of bombs such as that deployed in the 1995 Oklahoma City attack.

David Famiglietti of the New Frontier Armory told the BBC that Paddock had purchased firearms at his store in North Las Vegas in the spring of this year, meeting all state and federal requirements, including an FBI background check.

However, the shotgun and rifle Paddock bought would not have been “capable of what we’ve seen and heard in the video without modification”, Mr Famiglietti said.

The fast shooting rate audible in recordings of Sunday night’s attack indicates that Paddock may have modified his guns with legal accessories to make them fire at speeds approaching those of automatic weapons.

Despite the large cache of weapons found in the killer’s home, his brother, Eric, is struggling to accept that he acted in this way. He said he was “in shock, horrified, completely dumbfounded”.

So-called Islamic State claimed on Monday to be behind the attack, saying Paddock had converted to Islam some months ago. But the group provided no evidence for this and has made unsubstantiated claims in the past.

The FBI said it had found “no connection to an international terrorist organisation”.

Source: BBC

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Las Vegas shooting: Police search for gunman’s motive https://citifmonline.com/2017/10/las-vegas-shooting-police-search-for-gunmans-motive/ Tue, 03 Oct 2017 05:38:12 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=358613 Police are working to establish the motive behind a mass shooting which left at least 59 dead and another 527 injured at a Las Vegas concert. Gunman Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel towards an open-air music festival on Sunday evening. Police found 23 guns in his […]

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Police are working to establish the motive behind a mass shooting which left at least 59 dead and another 527 injured at a Las Vegas concert.

Gunman Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel towards an open-air music festival on Sunday evening.

Police found 23 guns in his hotel room, as well as “in excess of” 19 firearms and explosives at his Nevada home.

But as yet, no clear reason for the killing has emerged.

Investigators have found no link to international terrorism, despite a claim from so-called Islamic State. Some investigators have suggested psychological issues, but there is no confirmation of this.

People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas

What do we know of the gunman?

Stephen Paddock lived in a community of senior citizens in the small town of Mesquite, north-east of Las Vegas.

He reportedly lived with a woman called Marilou Danley who is out of the country in Japan, and does not appear to be involved, police said.

Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said when police searched the property after the attack they found 19 “additional firearms, some explosives and several thousand rounds of ammo, along with some electronic devices we’re evaluating at this point”.

Officers also found ammonium nitrate in Paddock’s car. The explosive found in his home was tannerite, the sheriff said.

There is a second house in northern Nevada which Swat teams are due to check for booby-traps before carrying out a search , Sheriff Lombardo said.

David Famiglietti of the New Frontier Armory told the BBC that Paddock had purchased firearms at his store in North Las Vegas in the spring of this year, meeting all state and federal requirements, including an FBI background check.

However, the shotgun and rifle Paddock bought would not have been “capable of what we’ve seen and heard in the video without modification,” Mr Famiglietti said.

Despite the large cache of weapons in his home, his brother, Eric, is dumbfounded that he acted this way.

Las Vegas Sheriff Joe Lombardo described the shooting as a “lone wolf” attack.

So-called Islamic State (IS) has claimed to be behind the attack, saying Paddock had converted to Islam some months ago.

But the group provided no evidence for this and has made unsubstantiated claims in the past.

FBI Special Agent Aaron Rouse told a news conference: “We have determined at this point no connection to an international terrorist organisation.”

IS’s claim of responsibility for the Las Vegas attack is very unusual in that the perpetrator’s profile does not fit that of supporters or “soldiers” that the group has claimed in the past, writes Mina al-Lami, who monitors jihadist groups for the BBC.

If true, his suicide would be deemed wholly “un-Islamic”, she adds.

Jihadist suicides involve the assailant blowing himself up in order to kill those around him.


How did the attack unfold?

The final shows of the three-day Route 91 country music festival were in full swing when the gunman struck.

According to police, Paddock had booked into the hotel four days earlier, on 28 September, reportedly using some of Ms Danley’s identity documents.

Sheriff Lombardo said there were 10 suitcases in the suite, which had two rooms.

Thousands were enjoying a performance by top-billing singer Jason Aldean when the first of several bursts of automatic gunfire rang out – hundreds of shots, witnesses say. That was late on Sunday night – 22:08 local time (05:08 GMT on Monday).

Hundreds of concert-goers scrambled for cover, flattening themselves against the ground, rushing for the exits or helping others to escape as Paddock sprayed the site from his high vantage point.

It is thought he moved between two windows in his suite as he carried out the attack.

“One man had blood all over him and that’s when I knew something was seriously wrong,” Mike Thompson from London, told the BBC.

“People were running and there was chaos.”

Las Vegas city map showing location of hotel from where gunman shot at least 50 people dead at a country music concert, 2 October 2017

Many hotels on the Las Vegas strip close to the scene were placed on police lockdown and parts of Las Vegas Boulevard were shut.


Who are the victims?

The authorities have yet to confirm the identities of any of the 58 killed.

Jordan McIldoon, 23, from British Columbia in Canada, has been identified as a victim of the attack by CBC News.

A nurse, Sonny Melton, of Big Sandy, Tennessee, has been named as another victim by The Jackson Sun newspaper.

In a Facebook post, his wife, Dr Heather Gulish Melton, said she “lost my true love and knight in shining armor. I appreciate the prayers but I just need some time.”

An off-duty Las Vegas police officer was another of those who died.


What gun laws does Nevada have?

Nevada has some of the least stringent gun laws in the United States.

People are allowed to carry weapons and do not have to register themselves as a gun-owner.

Background checks are done when people buy guns, but they are also allowed to sell them privately.

Chart showing mass shooting incidents in the US

Former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who survived a shooting six years ago, called for political leaders in Washington to introduce tougher gun laws following the Las Vegas attack.

Her husband Mark Kelly read out a joint statement on the steps of the Capitol saying thoughts and prayers from the White House were not enough to stop the next shooting.

Source: BBC

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Senior members of NDC must speak up – Editors https://citifmonline.com/2014/07/senior-members-of-ndc-must-speak-up-editors/ Fri, 11 Jul 2014 18:25:52 +0000 http://4cd.e16.myftpupload.com/?p=31181 Two key editors of newspapers affiliated to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) have criticized government’s handling of the economy and are asking senior members of the party to call the president to order. According to the editors of the Herald and the Informer, senior members of the governing party must speak up to put government […]

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Two key editors of newspapers affiliated to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) have criticized government’s handling of the economy and are asking senior members of the party to call the president to order.

According to the editors of the Herald and the Informer, senior members of the governing party must speak up to put government on track.

The two, Larry Dogbe of the Herald and Andy Kankam of the Informer say  as citizens of Ghana, they cannot ignore the state of affairs hence the decision to do a series of stories asking President Mahama to sit up.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, one of the editors, Andy Kamkam bemoaned the current state of the economy and asked the various individuals working with the President to advise him on best practices to save the ailing economy.

“If the handlers of the President keep telling him that all is well that is a big fat lie…I think that the handlers of the economy must tell him the truth…”

“We will not sit down to see the country that Kwame Nkrumah and others struggled to build collapse”he added

Mr. Kankam also criticized the deputy ministers for their incompetence and the inappropriate behaviour saying “ most of them just go to the night clubs and shower money.”

He opined that “things are not being done well in the economy” adding that “Ghana had now become a laughing stock to the international world.”

In that regard, he called on the former President Rawlings to bring President Mahama to order.

He also challenged other senior members of the party to question government’s incompetence.

Speaking on the same platform, Mr. Larry Dogbe emphasized the need for Ghanaians to question the competence of the country’s political leaders in the midst of the current economic crises.

“If you [Ghanaians] are not getting your direction clear, you are not seeing the destination then obviously you need to start asking questions as to what is wrong,”Mr. Dogbe said.

He recalled that Ghana’s various political leaders have only given Ghanaians vain promises and asked them to “swallow bitter pills, tighten their belts … for a better tomorrow.”

Mr. Dogbe was however quick to add that “what are tightening our belts for and what are we swallowing our bitter pills for?Is it for a better tomorrow?”

Commenting on the recent cement shortage Mr. Dogbe said the Minister of Trade and Industry, Haruna Iddsrisu should have taken the initiative to visit the various cement companies in the country to ascertain the problem.

“The Minister should have gone to the ground, gone to GHACEM, gone to Dangote, gone to Diamond Cement to find out what is happening.”

He further questioned what the Ministry of Finance did to resolve to the problem.

Fuel shortage

Ghana recently experienced fuel shortage due to government’s inability to pay about 1.5 billion cedis owed the Bulk Oil Distributors Company and other Oil Marketing Companies.

The shortage has generated public debate as to whether government should continue subsidizing petroleum products or allow consumers to bear the full cost.

Speaking on the issue, Mr. Dogbe described the “fuel shortage as very embarrassing.”

Divisions within NDC

There have been reports of divisions within the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Commenting on internal bickering in the party, he said most of the party members who had criticized government in the past had been sidelined in the party.

“What I have heard is that a lot of people who we can always define as the saints of the NDC are not involved in the day to day running of the government. The matured guys are not allowed to take part in the party’s relevant discussions.”

The two are not the only ones complaining about the current state of affairs. The NPP’s Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia and the PPP’s Dr. Papa Kwasi Nduom have all called on government to take immediate steps to halt the decline of the cedi and fix the economy.

Dr. Kwesi Ndoum has described Ghana’s economy as bedridden while the Secretary General of Trade Union Congress (TUC) Kofi Asamoh says the high and low profile corruption cases in the country are symptoms of a weak and failing state.

The nation’s currency has been depreciating against some of the major trading currencies in spite of measures introduced by the Bank of Ghana.

Fitch Ratings recently also revised the Outlook on Ghana’s Long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) from stable to negative and affirmed the ratings at ‘B’.

The agency said “revenue underperformance and intractable expenditure on wages and interest led to a budget deficit of 10.8% of GDP in 2013, wider than the government’s target of 9%.This combined with a sharp 20% depreciation of the exchange rate, caused government debt to rise to 61.8% of GDP in 2013 from 48.9% in 2012.”

 

By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Liaise with private sector to fix economy – Esi Ansah to Gov’t https://citifmonline.com/2014/07/liaise-with-private-sector-to-fix-economy-esi-ansah-to-govt-2/ Sun, 06 Jul 2014 06:30:45 +0000 http://4cd.e16.myftpupload.com/?p=30002 A Lecturer at Ashesi University, Dr. Esi Ansah has advised government to work with the private sector to address Ghana’s economic challenges. “I am looking for a time when our leaders will engage with people in the private sector such as the CSOs  to figure out some of the things they can do to fix Ghana’s problems,”Dr. Ansah proposed. Government has […]

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A Lecturer at Ashesi University, Dr. Esi Ansah has advised government to work with the private sector to address Ghana’s economic challenges.

“I am looking for a time when our leaders will engage with people in the private sector such as the CSOs  to figure out some of the things they can do to fix Ghana’s problems,”Dr. Ansah proposed.

Government has been criticized for  its failure to halt the depreciation of the cedi, high inflation rate, rising budget deficit and increased cost of borrowing and other economic challenges facing the country.

A group of protesters on Tuesday took to the streets to demonstrate against what they describe as unfavourable economic conditions in the country.

The group also threatened to stage more demonstrations if government fails to address the current challenges facing the country.

Inflation currently stands at 14.7 percent, representing the highest rate since Feburary 2010.

An economist, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia earlier this year, described Ghana’s economy as a crisis situation.

According to him, Ghana must ask the International Monetary Fund(IMF) for a bailout for the ailing economy.

Speaking on Citi FM’s News Analysis Programme, The Big Issue, Dr Esi Ansah described Tuesday’s protest as  “the beginning of just an awakening of citizens.”.

She decried the state of affairs in the country saying “we [Ghana] have fuel shortages, we don’t have running water, the currency has depreciated so quickly, and there is a lot of helplessness and despondency.”

According to her, though the country’s challenges are not new, it will make a big difference if government takes immediate steps to address the problems.“These challenges are not new, but if you were in an era that you felt that something was being done, that will make a difference.”

Dr. Ansah further  attributed the surge in corrupt practices in the country to a system failure. “The corruption we see is not about individuals who are greedy but a system failure.”

 

By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Invest in health education instead – Edward Mahama https://citifmonline.com/2014/07/invest-in-health-education-instead-edward-mahama/ Thu, 03 Jul 2014 19:53:06 +0000 http://4cd.e16.myftpupload.com/?p=29598 A former presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC) and Gynecologist, Edward Nasigiri has said government’s plan to distribute free sanitary pads to girls in Senior High Schools (SHS) will only lead to corruption. “Even though the intentions of the promoters of the project may be good, there will be a lot of abuses […]

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A former presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC) and Gynecologist, Edward Nasigiri has said government’s plan to distribute free sanitary pads to girls in Senior High Schools (SHS) will only lead to corruption.

“Even though the intentions of the promoters of the project may be good, there will be a lot of abuses and the money may end up not doing what they intended it to do,” Mr Nasigri said.

Government on Wednesday approved a 156 million dollar loan facility from the World Bank to finance the Ghana Secondary School Education Improvement Project.

The loan will be used to provide scholarship for students in deprived communities, fund the construction of Senior High Schools and provide free sanitary pads to young girls at the SHS level.

The decision to distribute free sanitary pads has however generated public outcry as some believe the project will pave way for government to embezzle more funds.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Nasigri said individuals contracted to supply the sanitary pads to the various schools might end up selling them instead of distributing them.

Another challenge associated with the project, he said, is its sustainability.

Mr. Nasigri believes that it would have been more profitable for government to invest part of the loan facility in health and sex education respectively rather than providing sanitary pads.

Speaking on the same platform, a Public Health Practitioner, Maame Yaa Bomsomtwe proposed a cheaper alternative to  government’s policy to hand out free sanitary pads to young ladies.

She proposed that government secures menstrual cups instead of sanitary pads as a cost effective means of ensuring menstrual hygiene.

According to her, the menstrual cups are “economical, hygienic and environmentally sound” as compared to the sanitary pads.

 

By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Gov’t set a bad precedent with $3m – GBA https://citifmonline.com/2014/06/govt-set-a-bad-precedent-with-3m-gba/ Fri, 27 Jun 2014 15:33:02 +0000 http://4cd.e16.myftpupload.com/?p=27973 The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has criticized government’s decision to airlift $3 million cash to the Black Stars players. Government airlifted $ 3 million cash to pay the appearance fee of the Black Stars players after the team threatened a boycott of Thursday’s match. A press statement issued by the GBA noted that “government’s decision […]

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The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has criticized government’s decision to airlift $3 million cash to the Black Stars players.

Government airlifted $ 3 million cash to pay the appearance fee of the Black Stars players after the team threatened a boycott of Thursday’s match.

A press statement issued by the GBA noted that “government’s decision to bow to the pressure from the Black Stars players does not only break the law but also set a bad precedent for the citizenry”

“Government must be seen to be leading the line in playing by the rules set by law and institutions of state and not assist a group of people to break the law. This is utterly despicable!, “ it further stated.

Below is the full statement issued by the GBA

GBA STATEMENT ON THE EVENTS IN THE CAMP OF THE BLACK STARS AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 IN BRAZIL

The GBA notes with regret the off-field activities in the camp of the Black Stars, Ghana’s representatives at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

There is no doubt that football transcends all other activities in bringing the nation together and helps alleviate the numerous problems our people face in their daily lives. The fact that football impacts on social cohesion and national pride cannot be overemphasized.

The GBA read with concern from the local media, the internet, Bloomberg and other international news networks that the sum of US$3 million in cash had been physically airlifted from Accra to the players in Brazil since it cast a very negative picture of Ghana to the outside world.

GBA investigations revealed that there was an agreement with the players that their appearance fees and allowances would be paid into their bank accounts but midstream in the competition the players insisted on being paid physical cash with the threat that they would not continue to participate in the competition and thereby stampeded the authorities into physically transporting that colossal sum of money from Accra to Brazil.

Our investigations further revealed that this practice of carrying such huge sums in cash for footballers is not of recent origin. The country is reminded of a similar event which befell a former Minister of State, Mallam Issah.

At a time that the Bank of Ghana is making strenuous efforts to stabilize the cedi, it is totally imprudent that the football players could be allowed to ride roughshod over the whole country.

The GBA find it an affront to the Rule of Law and the principle of Equality before the Law that the Government on the spur of the moment found it prudent to disregard the law and legally binding directives and pander to the whims and caprices of the Senior National team, The Black Stars.

Such acts, the GBA notes, is not only a betrayal of the citizenry, especially business people who have painstakingly had to abide by the law and directives of the Bank of Ghana at the expense of their business interests, but also smacks of lawlessness and a bad example to the people of Ghana. The Black Stars players are not above the law and the GBA can find no justification for an exception to be made for them.

Ghana, unfortunately, has in the last 48 hours become the laughing stock of the global media because of government’s decision to mobilise and airlift Millions of United States Dollars in cash to Brazil. The GBA disagrees completely with Government’s decision to bow to pressure from the Black Stars players and in the process, not only break the law but also, set a bad precedent for the citizenry.

Government must be seen to be leading the line in playing by the rules set by law and institutions of state and not assist a group of people to break the law. This is utterly despicable!

Finally we have read in the international media gross acts of indiscipline which culminated in the expulsion of two players (Messrs Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng) from the Black Stars camp.

It is the GBA’s firm conviction that all persons representing the country in any capacity whatsoever should be aware of the fact that the country is bigger than any individual and that it is an honour and privilege to be called upon to serve the nation.

The GBA calls upon the leadership of the Ghana Football Association, the Ministry of Sports and Parliament to fashion out a strict code for the use of footballers and other sports personalities in any future event relating to discipline in camp and the payment of bonuses and allowances.

The GBA finally congratulates the officials who stamped their authority by expelling the two players and suggests that discipline must be the hallmark of our football teams and other teams and individuals engaged in sports and not merely the desire to win. This discipline must percolate to all facets of nation-building.

We would also wish to congratulate those players and officials who comported themselves and were great ambassadors for our nation Ghana.

 

Long live Ghana.

 

By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Gov’t paid over € 85 million judgement debt to CP – BoG https://citifmonline.com/2014/06/govt-paid-over-e-85-million-judgement-debt-to-cp-bog/ Wed, 25 Jun 2014 09:40:27 +0000 http://4cd.e16.myftpupload.com/?p=27229 Government between 1992 and 2012 paid judgement debts, totaling more than €85 million to Construction Pioneers (CP). This is in addition to a judgement debt payment of £7.3 million made within the same period. The said payments were as a result of the settlement of disputes and judgement debts between CP and the Government of […]

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Government between 1992 and 2012 paid judgement debts, totaling more than €85 million to Construction Pioneers (CP).

This is in addition to a judgement debt payment of £7.3 million made within the same period.

The said payments were as a result of the settlement of disputes and judgement debts between CP and the Government of Ghana over construction works.

Chief Manager of the Banking Department of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Mr Eric Kweku Hammond said this when he testified before the Judgement Debt Commission on Tuesday.

He said the payments were made based on directives from the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD).

On the payment of judgement debt to Delta Foods Limited, Mr Hammond told the Commission that on November 24, 1999, BoG received a letter from the CAGD directing them to transfer an amount of Ȼ20.3 billion into the Judicial Service Deposit Account as payment for judgement debt to the company.

He said on March 10, 2000, BoG received another letter from the Judicial Service instructing them to transfer the said amount into the account of Delta Foods Ltd, which was effected on March 15, 2000.

He said based on another court ruling from the United States (US) on the same case, the CAGD again asked BoG to make an offshore payment of $ 4.9 million to Delta Foods Ltd, which was paid in two batches of $ 2.5 million and $ 2.4 million.

Sole Commissioner of the Judgement Debt Commission, Mr Justice Yaw Apau  said the additional payment of $ 4.9 million dollars was incurred by the state, when it delayed in honouring the Ȼ 20.3 billion, which compelled Delta Foods Ltd to take legal action against Ghana in the US to enforce the Ghana court’s ruling.

Counsel for the Commission,  Mr Kofi Dometi Sokpor,wanted to know from the BoG Chief Manager if per chance they came across the reliefs from the courts concerning the matter, to which Mr Hammond answered in the negative.

The Counsel recounted that Delta Foods Ltd imported some grains from the US upon the request of the Government of Ghana, but somewhere along the line the state defaulted in honouring its part of the agreement, which led to the company taking legal action against Ghana.

Also at the Commission’s sitting was Professor Bruce Banoeng-Yakubo, Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Forestry to answer questions on the payment of compensations to land owners of Kete Krachi, Makango and Paso, due to the flooding of Volta Lake following the Construction of the Akosombo Dam. The Commission has adjourned sitting to Wednesday June 25.

 

Source: GNA

 

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We are ready to govern despite challenges – Freddie Blay https://citifmonline.com/2014/06/we-are-ready-to-govern-despite-challenges-freddie-blay/ Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:08:26 +0000 http://4cd.e16.myftpupload.com/?p=26887 The first Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay has dismissed claims that the party is not ready to govern the nation due to the frequent internal wrangling it is experiencing. Some security personnel hired to guard the party’s headquarters in Asylum Down clashed with old security guards on Monday. The clash […]

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The first Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay has dismissed claims that the party is not ready to govern the nation due to the frequent internal wrangling it is experiencing.

Some security personnel hired to guard the party’s headquarters in Asylum Down clashed with old security guards on Monday.

The clash occurred when the old guards prevented the new guards from taking over their duties because according to them, they were not informed about the new arrangement.

On Eyewitness News, Mr. Blay also dismissed assertions that the NPP is currently in crisis, explaining that the sheer magnitude of the party makes it susceptible to challenges “in terms of administration, policies and even control of the party.”

He indicated that the leadership of the party is taking steps to ensure they are in absolute control so as to curtail some of these challenges.

According to him, it is no big deal for a party member to take the party to court,adding that it would have been very much appreciated if party members did not proceed to court with party matters, but “if it happens, I don’t think based on that you come to the conclusion that the party is not capable of taking over power.”

Mr. Blay insisted that Ghanaians should not describe the party’s challenges as “a crisis and I will not say it is a power struggle that has affected the leadership because of a change of guards.”

“Don’t interpret that to mean there is a big crisis in our party that we cannot contain or we cannot stand it; that is not the case,” he maintained.

He urged supporters and sympathizers of the party to “relax” and support the party, but “if they are not supporting the party, they should go ahead and rejoice. Maybe they think that will be the end of the party; it won’t happen.”

 

By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Gov’t on track to reduce youth unemployment – Mahama https://citifmonline.com/2014/06/govt-on-track-to-reduce-youth-unemployment-mahama/ Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:59:15 +0000 http://4cd.e16.myftpupload.com/?p=26824 Government says it is on track to reduce the rate of youth unemployment in the country. Speaking at the Heads of States Award Scheme, President John Mahama stated that various youth empowerment and skills development schemes had been put in place to reduce Ghana’s unemployment rate. The President revealed that government through its various youth […]

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Government says it is on track to reduce the rate of youth unemployment in the country.

Speaking at the Heads of States Award Scheme, President John Mahama stated that various youth empowerment and skills development schemes had been put in place to reduce Ghana’s unemployment rate.

The President revealed that government through its various youth empowerment and skills development schemes has managed to create employment for over 200,000 youth nationwide since it assumed office in 2009.

The successes chalked by government, according to him, signifies government’s commitment to youth development.

He also revealed that government’s support to fund the youth enterprise will provide access to business financing.

“ For young people who wish to engage in entrepreneurship, this fund will provide seed capital to address funding frustrations.

“It is also aimed at easing the burden of job seekers and first time young business men and women,” the President stated.

According to him, government believes that investing in young people is the best investment the country can make.

“This is why government has continued to support the Heads awards scheme as well as other programmes aimed at awarding young people,” the President added.

 

By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Roadmap for free SHS completed – Education Minister https://citifmonline.com/2014/06/roadmap-for-free-shs-completed-education-minister/ Wed, 04 Jun 2014 16:13:22 +0000 http://4cd.e16.myftpupload.com/?p=22642 The Ministry of Education has revealed a roadmap has been prepared for the introduction of free Senior High School (SHS) education in Ghana. According to the Ministry, the road map will largely support needy and vulnerable students. This was disclosed by the sector Minister; Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang who took her turn at the […]

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The Ministry of Education has revealed a roadmap has been prepared for the introduction of free Senior High School (SHS) education in Ghana.

According to the Ministry, the road map will largely support needy and vulnerable students.

This was disclosed by the sector Minister; Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang who took her turn at the Meet the Press series.

President John Mahama in his State of the Nation Address early this year announced that his government will introduce a progressively free SHS education policy in 2015.

The President later indicated the implementation of the policy will cost Ghana approximately GHC 71 million.

Government was widely criticized for this decision as some believed there were no prior consultations with relevant stakeholders on the most effective way to implement the policy.

Others were also of the view that the current economic challenges in Ghana cannot support such a policy.

Some teacher unions complained that the free SHS policy will further reduce quality of education

However, the Minister of Education said although the road map is yet to receive cabinet approval, the policy will certainly be implemented.

She explained that there is a high demand for senior high school education in Ghana and the situation has compelled some schools to admit students beyond their capacity.

“This has led to circumstances in which some schools admit as many as 3,000 students and over. This is significantly higher that the prescribed average of between 1,200 and 1,500 per school,” the Minister said.

Prof. Opoku Agyeman noted that her outfit, following with stakeholders has prepared a report on the progressive implementation of the free SHS which is primarily targeted at underprivileged students.

She urged Ghanaians to anticipate that “fees for day students will be abolished at an estimated cost of GHC 71 million in the year of implementation.”

According to her, issues relating to boarding students will be announced soon.

 

By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana

 

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