Professor Martey at a lecture in the Ashanti Region last week stated that, some officials of the Akufo-Addo government, are already exhibiting signs of corruption and cautioned against such acts.

[contextly_sidebar id=”c8Chub8hOtPFMpWU0xETphpCkOIBTO9A”]The man, who blatantly criticized officials of the erstwhile Mahama administration for being corrupt and having mismanaged the country, appears to be turning the heat on the Akufo-Addo administration.

A large gov’t means large corruption – Rev. Martey cautions

He cited the large size of the government, and called for a review, stating that it could lead to corruption.

He cited the recent happenings at the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), and urged the President to ensure issues about corruption under his administration are dealt with.

But the government wants him to name the individuals who are alleged to be engaged in the corrupt practices to enable it to take action against such individuals.

According to the Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid, the government is committed to rooting out corruption especially among state officials, and appreciates information from the public to help it take action.

He, however said such information must be based on specifics and should not be generalized.

“As a senior citizen of our country, we want to urge him to go beyond talking generalities to giving us concrete examples that we can put our hands on and make an example for people to be deterred. But if senior citizens should begin talking like that, that in our view is quite nebulous and feeds into the perception,” he said.

“We welcome such comments, they are not comments that we want to attack or rebut, but we want to encourage senior citizens like that to speak up, but to speak more on specifics rather than generalities,” he added.

President Nana Akufo-Addo was criticized for appointing 110 ministers to serve in his government, after previously assuring that he would ensure a prudent and efficient government.

The size of Akufo-Addo’s government is considered one of the biggest in the country’s history.

The President said he created a number of special portfolios to serve at the Presidency because certain critical sectors needed “additional talents” to ensure their success.

He also responded to critics of his government size saying that the task of turning around Ghana’s fortunes requited a large government to rise up to the many challenges.

Perceived corrupt cases under NPP

The NPP government has so far found itself in two cases of alleged corruption, with the recent one being the allegations of corruption against two deputy chiefs of staff, by musician and NPP sympathizer Kwame A-Plus, as well as the perceived corruption in the sale of contaminated fuel involving BOST.

There has also been perceived corruption in government’s handling of the Ameri Power Deal, in which the same firm that was being questioned over a supposed bloated contract, sponsored a committee from Ghana to Dubai to hold discussions with them.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, was also accused of cronyism by the minority in one of government’s bond issue. Another major scandal, which many were unhappy with, was the allegations of corruption leveled against Boakye Agyarko, now Energy Minister during his vetting.

He was accused by some minority MPs of seeking to bribe them to enable him sail through his vetting with ease. The matter was later investigated by parliament, but the accusers were supposedly unable to prove their claims.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Speaking at a public lecture organized by the Christian Service University in Kumasi, Mr. Martey intimated that, these laws have failed to ensure “severe punishment for culprits” indicted in various scandals over the past years.

[contextly_sidebar id=”nbSgtFF4BRIYHXdjrSlyat54a04Ddwhx”]Rev. Martey, therefore suggested a review of these laws to curtail what he describes as massive corruption that has engulfed the country.

“The laws in Ghana do not bite hard. Lack of very severe punishment for corrupt offenders encourages further corruption. A mere transfer of culprits to another location with the same job position and the same pay gives free license to continue the practice,” Mr. Martey complained.

A large gov’t means large corruption – Rev. Martey cautions

Prof. Martey also called for a constitutional direction to streamline the size of Governments in the country.

According to him, the large size of Governments has the tendency to breed corrupt appointees.

“A large Government means large corruption. So we should have a constitutional direction. NPP and corruption, I said clearly that what has been proven, the NPP appointees have begun showing signs of corruption.”

He said government must prioritize issues of corruption and ensure a vigorous fight against the menace if positive results are to be seen.

“A large Government means large corruption. So we should have a constitutional direction. NPP and corruption, I said clearly that what has been proven, the NPP appointees have begun showing signs of corruption”.

He cited the recent happenings at the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), and urged the President to ensure issues about corruption under his administration are dealt with.

The NPP government has so far found itself in two cases of alleged corruption, with the recent one being the allegations of corruption against two deputy chiefs of staff, by musician and NPP sympathizer Kwame A-Plus, as well as the perceived corruption in the sale of contaminated fuel involving BOST.

Perceived corrupt cases under NPP

There has also been perceived corruption in government’s handling of the Ameri Power Deal, in which the same firm that was being questioned over a supposed bloated contract, sponsored a committee from Ghana to Dubai to hold discussions with them.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, was also accused of cronyism by the minority in one of government’s bond issue.

Another major scandal, which many were unhappy with, was the allegations of corruption leveled against Boakye Agyarko, now Energy Minister during his vetting.

He was accused by some minority MPs of seeking to bribe them to enable him sail through his vetting with ease. The matter was later investigated by parliament, but the accusers were supposedly unable to prove their claims.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ghana’s corruption laws not punitive enough – Prof. Martey appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The man, who blatantly criticized officials of the erstwhile Mahama administration for being corrupt and having mismanaged the country, appears to be turning the heat on the Akufo-Addo administration.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Tf76nUjzUzyPgSA3EvJ8ynKfcLPtGPzk”]He has thus called for a constitutional direction to streamline the size of Government in the country, since in his view, a large size government contributes to corruption.

The NPP government has been severely accused following Nana Addo’s appointment of 110 ministers of state, the largest in the country’s history.

The outspoken bishop warned that those NPP appointees who have begun showing signs of corruption, will soon be exposed.

Professor Martey was speaking at a Public Lecture on the Corruption menace in Ghana, organized by the Christian Service University College(CSUC) in Kumasi.

He said Government must prioritize issues of corruption and ensure a vigorous fight against the menace if positive results are to be seen.

“A large Government means large corruption. So we should have a constitutional direction. NPP and corruption, I said clearly that what has been proven, the NPP appointees have begun showing signs of corruption”.

He cited the recent happenings at the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), and urged the President to ensure issues about corruption under his administration are dealt with.

The NPP government has so far found itself in two cases of alleged corruption, with the recent one being the allegations of corruption against two deputy chiefs of staff, by musician and NPP sympathizer Kwame A-Plus, as well as the perceived corruption in the sale of contaminated fuel involving BOST.

There has also been perceived corruption in government’s handling of the Ameri Power Deal, in which the same firm that was being questioned over a supposed bloated contract, sponsored a committee from Ghana to Dubai to hold discussions with them.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, was also accused of cronyism by the minority in one of government’s bond issue. Another major scandal, which many were unhappy with, was the allegations of corruption leveled against Boakye Agyarko, now Energy Minister during his vetting.

He was accused by some minority MPs of seeking to bribe them to enable him sail through his vetting with ease. The matter was later investigated by parliament, but the accusers were supposedly unable to prove their claims.

The lecture, on the theme: “Institutional Corruption in Ghana: Causes and Effects” brought other dignitaries including; the outgoing Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group, Ken Ashigbey, and the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Reverend Dr. Opuni Frimpong.

Mr. Ashigbey, who spoke on ‘The Efficacy of Anti-corruption measures in Ghana: What is missing and the way Forward’, said corruption is purely “thievery” and must not be glorified.

He wants political parties to publish their sources of funding used for electioneering campaigns.

He also called for the quick passage of the Right to Information (RTI) Bill and a reformation of the Asset Declaration Act.

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By:Hafiz Tijani/Citifmonline/Ghana

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According to him, some of the critics, who are former government officials woefully failed to address the country’s problems, yet are quick to judge the current government.

[contextly_sidebar id=”J8riJ20vfIZGeFjlsbcemH2XdZTbB25X”]He told pressmen that it was too early to criticize the Akufo-Add government for some of its shortcomings.

“… All those who are making those unwise statements that Akufo-Addo has failed… I hear some of them, they’ve been there 8 years, and they’ve not been able to do anything …”

Prof. Martey who was present at the opening of the Koforidua branch of C4C homeopathic clinic in the Eastern Region asked those criticizing the government to desist and rather pray for it to succeed.

“I’m calling those unwise people to stop querying, they should wait and pray that this present government delivers. It is too early to say that the present administration is not doing well,” he said.

He, however, admitted that the President had made some mistakes including making wrong choices in his appointments.

The vociferous religious leader gained media prominence with some of his daring and bold statements on scandals recorded especially under the John Mahama administration.

Most of his comments have drawn criticism from some supporters of the former government who believed he was being used by the opposition [then NPP] to make the John Mahama administration unpopular.

Ahead of the 2016 general elections, he stated that a politician attempted bribing him with $ 100,000, a 4×4 vehicle and a promise to secure him a fully furnished house if he tones down his criticism of government.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Akufo-Addo’s critics ‘unwise’ – Prof. Martey appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking to journalists in the Eastern Region on the sidelines of the commissioning of C4C homeopathic center, he said, the “NPP also has bad elements.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”6aPag4qvbQZxyJyKtVKvDnHv3AQWsWoK”]“Even some of their appointees are not correct…they are corrupt,” he added.

Prof. Martey who has in the last few years been vociferous in chastising the erstwhile John Mahama government said the new government of Nana Akufo-Addo has also made the mistake of appointing some corrupt people.

On the issue of illegal small-scale mining, Prof. Martey said the menace was allowed to thrive under the former government.

According to him, John Mahama had identified the problem but failed to address it.

“I don’t want to go into politics but it was in Mahama’s administration that this thing [galamsey] became worse. I met Mahama, we sat down and I complained about this galamsey. He told me that he was able to identify the Ghanaian who was bringing the Chinese to Ghana so they will deal with it. But rather, things got worse, so if the government will sit up and selflessly manage our country, this galamsey business will be solved,” Prof. Martey said.

While commending the government for its resolve to address the illegal activity popularly known as galamsey, he acknowledged the role of the media in sensitizing the public to speak against the menace.

“It is too early to say that the present administration is not doing well. In fact it is because they have come, and thanks to the media everybody knows that galamsey is a necessary evil which ought to be eliminated,” Prof. Martey said.

The government is stepping up its effort in the fight against illegal mining in the country following major concerns against the menace, raised by various Civil Society groups and the media.

Citi FM has been at the forefront of media advocacy and crusade for action against the illegal activity.

The station among other things petitioned Parliament to act to stop the menace. The efforts have yielded some positive results including a moratorium on the issuance of new licenses for small-scale mining.

The government has said it is focused on ensuring that the menace is fully addressed the sector properly fragmented to ensure that mining in the country is done in accordance with the law.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to him, the level of discipline in certain schools has made the teaching of such ethics difficult.

He said “it is time now for university education to show that it value moral health and ethical wellbeing as much as it does intellectual health and academic wellbeing”, and asked that “moral and ethical behaviour and standards are promoted in our universities and fostered among graduate students.”

Prof. Martey was speaking at the 2^nd graduation ceremony of Christ Apostolic University College at Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region.

A total of 200 students were conferred with awards including 93 certificates, 21 Diplomas and 86 Bachelor’s Degrees.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah who was also at the ceremony acknowledged the immense contribution of private tertiary education in Ghana.

He said the “government cannot do it all alone and therefore offered the needed support to the private sector to thrive in education delivery at all levels.”

The President of Christ Apostolic University College, Prof. Philip Owiredu Yeboah said the university “continues to review its academic curricula, making experiential learning the mainstay in all our programmes, thereby equipping students with hands-on experience and skills” in preparing students for the job market on completion.

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By: Lauretta Timah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to him, the activities of these vigilante groups are denting the country’s democratic gains.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Y8sLX2MVzY8hlATsgIB0UnJPUjvmz70a”]Vigilante groups, Delta Force and Invincible Force, all affiliated to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have engaged in violent post-election attacks on civil servants and forceful takeovers of state installations since the party assumed office.

The latest was an attack on a Kumasi Circuit Court by Delta Force which led to the escape of some 13 persons who were arrested over disturbances at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council.

The group vandalized some court property, and almost assaulted the Judge , Mary Senkyire.

The judge had ruled that they be remanded to reappear before the court on the 20th of April, 2017 after charges of conspiracy to assault a public officer and causing unlawful damage.

The incident has incensed many Ghanaians who have accused the government of doing nothing to stop the members of the group from carrying out such attacks.

Speaking on the development, the vocal clergyman Prof. Emmanuel Martey said the President has no excuse in not dealing with the matter.

“These violent vigilante groups with their unorthodox  modus operandum have a severe dent on the democratic credentials of our country and the earlier the government puts a halt to this national shame and put damage control strategies in place, the better for our democracy.

“Ghanaians are watching. Yes, you came in less than three months ago but Ghanaians are watching, minimise your mistakes. Violence is violence no matter who commits it. Violence is violence no matter who perpetuates it and it must be condemned in no uncertain terms. Ghana must not be taken years or decades back. We must move rather forward into freedom and justice, progress and development to bring into fruition , the vision of our political forbears.”

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

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In a statement released on Wednesday, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources announced the ban on the felling, harvesting and exportation of rosewood in the country.

The Ministry cited the “abuse of permits granted some loggers to harvest rosewood in the catchment area of the Bui dam” as the reason for the imposition of the ban.

According to the statement, President Mahama noted that “illegal logging and galamsey are combining to destroy the country’s environment,” when he met with the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi.

The Ministry statement, however, gave no indication as to when the ban would be lifted.

Find the full statement from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources below:

FELLING, HARVESTING AND EXPORTATION OF ROSEWOOD BANNED

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Nii Osah Mills, has announced a ban on the felling, harvesting and exportation of rosewood in the country.

The ban follows the abuse of permits granted some loggers to harvest rosewood in the catchment area of the Bui dam. It has been found out that while some are abusing their permits and harvesting rosewood at various other locations, others have been exporting the raw wood for processing.

President John Mahama raised this issue during his meeting with the

National House of Chiefs in Kumasi last week, noting that illegal logging and galamsey are combining to destroy the country’s environment.

Signed:

Nii Osah MILLS

MINISTER FOR LANDS & NATURAL RESOURCES

Accra–‐ July 23rd, 2014

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The mine has served notice it will close its main mine and lay off about 5,000 of its workers due to falling gold prices and cost of production in Ghana.

The sector Minister, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini has justified the need for Anglogold Ashanti to shut its Obuasi Mines after over 100 years of operation.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Alhaji Fuseini stated that his personal assessment shows that the company cannot continue to operate under the current circumstances.

He explained that the cost of operation far outweighs the profit revenue that is derived from Obuasi, adding that, he has personally visited the site to assess the situation.

The closure of the mine is expected to last between 18 to 24 months and time is to be used to invest and ensure the southern part of the mine which holds the potential is fully exploited.

This is to enable the mine to re-open and operate for the next 25 years.

But Alhaji Fuseini is requesting for some concrete assurances from the management of the company because according to him, government has legitimate concerns about the closure.

“How will they protect the integrity of the mine because the mine is an underground mine…a mine closure will need security to safeguard the integrity of the mine so they should come out and tell us how they want to protect the integrity of the mine.

We need firm commitment that if they close down the mine, they will re-open it after the date that they have said. We need firm commitment from them to show that they have enough resources to invest in the mines,” he said.

The sector Minister however, clarified that the mine has not been closed down yet and negotiations are ongoing “and what you have heard is just an intent; they are not yet implementing the decision.”

He disclosed that governments concerns in relation to the matter have been penciled down for the next engagement with the management of Anglogold Ashanti.

Alhaji Fuseini pledged that his Ministry will closely collaborate with Anglogold Ashanti “to build a consensus on what ought to be done that will inure to the collective benefit of the people of this country and guarantee them a return of their investments.”

He also expressed regret at the failure of Ghanaians to take advantage of the mining boom which took place in the 1980s.

Alhaji Fuseini noted that Ghanaians have the expertise in mining working in other mining industries across the world but was quick to add that government should not be blamed for the absence of many wholly owned Ghanaian mining companies.

“Going forward, we should be able to see Ghanaian companies acquiring each other and turning themselves into big companies to determine the way the mining industry goes in Ghana,” he said.

By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @osamidan

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