Ghana wet with tears as citizens mark 1 week of Mills’ death

Thousands of people are converging at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra where the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council is marking the one week celebration of the death of President John Evans Atta Mills.
  
People from all walks of life, dressed in mourning attire, are walking or on board vehicles to the Park, which is a sea of red and black.
    
There is drumming, singing, dancing, tooting of horns and blowing of whistles at the Park, which is gradually filling up.
    
By 1100 hours hundreds of mourners were already seated waiting for the official commencement of the ceremony.
    
A large number of them are clad in paraphernalia of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), posters of the late President Mills have been displayed on vehicles and on structures at the Park.

Drivers are displaying red banners on their vehicles and are tooting their horns as they drive in town, and some vehicles with public address systems are playing dirges as they drive around.
                                                              
Many people are carrying portraits of the late President,   food vendors have set up joints around the Park, photographers are taking pictures of mourners, while vendors are making brisk business, selling pieces of red and black materials as well as NDC paraphernalia.
 
Public buildings around the Ministries are draped in black and red colours.
 
The Government delegation to the celebration was led by Nii Afotey Agbo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, Accra Mayor and other Municipal and District Chief Executives in the Region.
 
Other dignitaries were, the National Chief Imam, Dr Shiekh Nuhu Sharabutu.
    
The celebration began with pouring of libation by Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona, Osu Mantse, and intermittent melodious tunes provided by the Ghana Armed Forces Central Band and the Ghana Police Service Central Band. 


  source: Myjoyonline.com

President Mills' Wife Sacks Rawlings From Home

Our attention has been drawn to a publication in the July 31, 2012 edition of The Enquirer which reports that former President Rawlings was turned away by Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills when he went to console the former First Lady on Monday July 30, 2012.
                                                         
We wish to place on record that President Rawlings is yet to visit the home of the former First Lady. What the newspaper published was a concoction of lies.

There is a calculated attempt by certain individuals with the support of sections of the media, to pitch the former President against the family of the late President Mills with the intention to create public disaffection against President Rawlings.

Wish to caution that as Ghanaians mourn, people with devious agenda should desist from such pettiness and allow Ghanaians to mourn the departed.

Signed: Office of President Rawlings 

Amissah Arthur is Ghana's new Vice President

Central Bank Governor, Mr Kwesi Amissah Arthur has been confirmed as the Vice to President Mahama.

He beat competition from renowned economist, Dr Kwesi Botchwey to annex the prestigious position.

Sources close to the President have confirmed this to Myjoyonline.com.

In accordance with the constitution, the president after he was sworn into office last Tuesday following the sudden death of President John Atta Mills, has chosen the Governor of the Bank of Ghana the second in command.
                                                                                                                
With this confirmation, Mr Amissah Arthur will become the natural vice presidential candidate of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the December polls.

Earlier today, academic and political analyst Dr Lloyd Amoah, told Joy FM's Super Morning Show that it would strategically unwise to select Mr Arthur to partner him.

Mr Amoah believes technocrat "will not bring in that fire, that energy that is required" to win the elections for the president.

He said Mr Amissah Arthur had no constituency and would not do much to help the NDC.

But it appears the president and the NDC has other ideas as they have settled on the Central Bank Governor.


source: joyonline

Aurora shootings: Suspect James Holmes charged with murders

Alleged Colorado cinema gunman James Holmes has been formally charged with one of America's worst mass shootings.

The 24-year-old faces 12 charges of first-degree murder, 12 charges of murder with extreme indifference and 116 counts of attempted murder.

A dozen people died and 58 were injured after a gunman opened fire at random in the crowded movie theatre near Denver.

                                              

As of Sunday, 10 victims of the 20 July shooting remained in hospital, four of them in a critical condition.

Ashley Moser, the critically injured mother of a six-year-old girl killed in the rampage in Aurora, has suffered a miscarriage, her family said on Saturday.

Explosive device charge

The judge had banned cameras from Monday's hearing, so there were no pictures of the defendant, who appeared dazed during his first court appearance last week.

Among the 142 criminal charges on the charge sheet, Mr Holmes faces one count of possessing an explosive or incendiary device.

He allegedly wired his apartment with enough explosives to destroy the entire building had they been detonated. It took authorities several days to dismantle the booby traps.

Court documents filed on Friday by defence lawyers said the suspect had been under the care of a psychiatrist at the University of Colorado Denver, where he had been in the process of dropping out as a neuroscience PhD student.

Monday's hearing was also expected to address a package - discovered in a campus mailroom three days after the shootings - which the suspect addressed to that psychiatrist, Dr Lynne Fenton.

The package reportedly contained descriptions of an attack, including drawings of a stick-figure gunman shooting people.

The defence team is seeking a court order requiring prosecutors to immediately turn over all evidence relating to the seizure of a package, citing doctor-patient privilege.

They have also lodged a motion to find out who leaked the existence of the package to the media, which they say could jeopardise the suspect's right to a fair trial.

Prosecutors have said it will be several weeks before a decision is made on whether or not to seek the death penalty in the case.

source:bbc

Mali unwed couple stoned to death by Islamists

A couple who had sex outside marriage has been stoned to death at the weekend by Islamists in the town of Aguelhok in northern Mali, officials say.

The man and woman were buried up to their necks, then pelted with stones until they died.
The northern half of Mali has been overrun by rebels - Tuareg and Islamist - following a coup in Mali's capital.
Aguelhok in the region of Kidal was one of the first to be captured by Tuareg separatist rebels.

The Islamists in Aguelhok stoned the couple to death in front of about 200 people, officials said.
"I was there. The Islamists took the unmarried couple to the centre of Aguelhok. The couple was placed in two holes and the Islamists stoned them to death," a local government official told the AFP news agency.
"The woman fainted after the first few blows," he said, adding that the man had shouted out once and then fallen silent.

A Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali triggered a military coup in March and in the ensuing chaos Islamist groups seized control of several towns in the north.

President Dioncounda Traore spent two months in France after being attacked

There has been international condemnation of the Islamists for destroying centuries-old shrines to saints revered by Sufi Muslims in the ancient city of Timbuktu.

Mali's interim President Dioncounda Traore on Sunday evening called for talks with the militants.
He made the call in his first national address two days after returning from two months in France, where he was treated for injuries sustained when he was beaten by supporters of March's coup.

Mr Traore said he would lead talks to form a unity government in Mali and would spearhead efforts to open dialogue with Islamists.
Malians should unite against "invaders", he said, referring to foreign jihadis who are allegedly operating in the north.

"Given the complexity of this crisis and the extent of the distress of our people from the north... we must together, I say together, clear the path ahead to free our country from these invaders, who only leave desolation, deprivation and pain in their wake," Mr Traore said.

source: bbc

Man Utd gets Chevrolet as new shirt sponsor

Manchester United has signed a new deal to have its shirts sponsored by US car brand Chevrolet.

The deal for an "undisclosed amount" is for seven years and begins from the 2014-2015 season, the club said.

Chevrolet, which is made by General Motors, takes over from current sponsor Aon.

Manchester United was recently called the most valuable club in sport, worth $2.23bn (£1.43bn), according to Forbes magazine.

                                                                            

 Chevrolet is only the fifth shirt sponsor in the club's history.

"This is a fantastic, long-term deal for the club," said Manchester United's commercial director Richard Arnold.

"They are a key partner on our current tour and I know they have enjoyed experiencing the buzz generated by our fanatical support and the sell-out crowds in South Africa, China, and Europe."

In May, Chevrolet signed a deal to become the football club's car sponsor.

It also recently signed a similar car deal with Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Earlier this month, Manchester United applied to list on the US stock market in a share sale aimed at raising a minimum $100m (£64m).

The club has been controlled since 2005 by the Glazer family, the billionaire US sports investors who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers American football franchise. 

source: bbc

Prez Mahama Under Siege…Many Troop To His House For Positions

The leadership of the ruling National Democratic Congress has directed all interest groups and lobbyists canvassing for various persons to be named Vice President, to put an immediate stop to it but on the blind side of their eyes, incessant pressure is being mounted on President John Mahama to show John Henry Martey Newman, the Chief of Staff the exit and appoint “his own man”.
                                                 
The man who is seen as President Mahama’s “own man”, according to our Castle sources, is Ghana’s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Baba Kamara.

Baba Kamara, a onetime Deputy Treasurer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is largely a self-educated man who reads avidly and was even touted at a point as a possible Running Mate to then Presidential Candidate Mills.

Our source further indicated to us that “apart from the fact that he is respected in the Islamic community because of his generosity and affableness, he cuts across both the NDC generations”.

“The Northern factor is also on his side since Mr. Newman also hails from the Central Region like our departed President Mills”, the source revealed further.

According to the source, there had been at least two delegations to the residence of the President to prevail on him to choose Alhaji Kamara as the Chief of Staff.

However, efforts to reach the High Commissioner for him to corroborate or deny the information at our disposal proved futile as his Nigerian telephone lines were all jammed.

Since the unfortunate demise of the President last week Tuesday, various lobbying groups have been pushing for their favorites to occupy the vacant position of the Vice President, compelling the NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu-Nketia to say the development was inconsistent with the national state of mourning declared by the President and the mood of the nation.

In a press statement, the NDC maintained that the decision remained the sole prerogative of President Mahama and he must be given the space to make the nomination.

It would be recalled that, in 2010, the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) commenced investigations into allegations of corruption against certain persons relating to the operations in Ghana of M&J, a British engineering firm.

They were Dr. George Sipa Yankey, former Minster for Health, Kwame Peprah, former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Alhaji Baba Kamara, Alhaji Abubakar Sadique Boniface, former Minister of Works and Housing in the erstwhile NPP administration, Alhaji Amadu Seidu, former Minister of State at the Office of President Mills, Brigadier-General Lord George Attivor (rtd), Managing Director of Intercity STC and Dr. Ato Quarshie, former Minister of Roads and Highways.

However, Alhaji Kamara objected to the CHRAJ investigations.

Alhaji Kamara, who holds an Executive Master's in Governance & Leadership, GIMPA; is the Founder/Chief Executive Officer, African Trans Bridging Limited (Supply, Erection and Design of Steel Bridges).

Source: New Crusading Guide

United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton to visit Nigeria next month

United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, is billed to visit Nigeria early next month, This Day has learnt.

Though the visit has not been officially announced by the US government, sources at the State Department said preparations were in top gear for the Secretary of State to be in Abuja early August on a one-day visit.

"We are still harmonising details of the visit with the Government of Nigeria, but it will be in early August," a source said.

 It was learnt that Nigerian Ambassador, Professor Adebowale Adefuye, who would begin his annual leave early August, has held several meetings with officials of the US government on the planned visit.

Though This Day could not confirm the exact date of the planned visit at the time of going to press, it was learnt from sources at the State Department that Clinton's itinerary includes meeting with top Nigerian officials in Abuja.

This Day further gathered that while in Abuja, Clinton may also use the opportunity of her visit to announce some major gains of the Nigeria, US Binational Commission (BNC).

It was Clinton who signed the Bi-national Commission Agreement with the then Secretary to the Federal Government, Ahmed Yayale, at the State Department, Washington DC in April of 2010.

The BNC initially had four working groups - good governance, transparency and integrity; energy and investment; food security and agriculture; Niger Delta and regional security co-operation.

Early this year, the Niger Delta and regional security component was split into two on US suggestion, thereby bringing the components to five.

Since 2010 when the agreement was signed, series of highlevel meetings had been held both in Nigeria and in US, some of the gains of which would be highlighted during her visit.

There had also been several investors' fora on power and agriculture, including an upcoming forum on infrastructure.

Some of the gains of the various high level meetings and investors' fora include increased interest of American investors in Nigeria's non-oil sector; US Ex-Im Bank $1.5 billion guarantee for investment in Nigeria's power sector; and increased assistance to Nigerian security agencies to effectively tackle internal security challenges, and donation of a warship to Nigerian Navy to tackle piracy and armed banditry in the Niger Delta and the Gulf of Guinea.

Next month's visit, would be coming three years after Clinton made a similar trip to Nigeria and barely two months after the largest ever meeting of the Nigeria, US BNC was held in Washington DC.

During her visit in August 2009, Clinton had urged Nigeria to embrace broad political reform and ease tensions that had led to sectarian violence and disrupted oil production in the Niger Delta.

Clinton had also during that visit, which included stops in six other African countries, said corruption had undermined the legitimacy of Nigeria's government, and that a culture of corruption and incompetence had hindered Nigeria's ability to grow as an economic power.

She had cited a World Bank report that noted that Nigeria had lost more than $300 billion to corruption and mismanagement over the last three decades.

This Day could however not confirm whether her upcoming visit would include stops in other African countries, as was the case in 2009. 

 source: myjoyonline.com

Outbreak of Ebola in Uganda kills 13

An outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus has killed at least 13 people and infected a further seven in Uganda.

The health ministry says emergency measures are in place to deal with the outbreak, which began in late June but has only just been confirmed as Ebola.

The cases have been reported in Kibaale district, about 170km (100 miles) to the west of the capital Kampala.

 Officials say most are linked to one family, who may have contracted the virus while attending a funeral.

Another suspected infection, at Kampala's Mulago hospital, is also being investigated by doctors, says the BBC's Catherine Byaruhanga in the capital.

Ebola is one of the most virulent diseases in the world. It is spread by close personal contact, and kills up to 90% of those who become infected.

There is no vaccine for the virus. Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, weakness, headache, vomiting and impaired kidneys.

The first victim of this outbreak was a pregnant woman.

More than 1,200 deaths from the virus have been recorded since it was discovered in 1976.

Uganda has seen three major outbreaks over the past 12 years.

The deadliest was in 2000 when 425 people were infected, more than half of them died.

Source: BBC

US trains 'special forces' in Ghana to fight drug trade

The United States has begun training elite anti-drugs police squads in Ghana, using techniques previously deployed in Afghanistan, as it seeks to combat rising drugs flows through Africa to Europe, reports the Daily Telegraph July 23, 2012.

Afghanistan is one of the world’s main producer of opium, a dried latex obtained from the opium poppy which is most often processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. It is believed that the US has helped curb the production of opium in that country even though it has gone up lately.

 

Drug cartels based in Latin America are increasingly using Africa to smuggle cocaine into Europe and also the US. Indeed the 2012 World Drug Report estimated that cocaine trafficking in West Africa generate some $900 million in annual profits for criminal networks.

Aside setting up the special anti-drug countering unit in Ghana, the US plans to put up similar ones in Nigeria and Kenya.

“We have an interest in and have heavily invested in the region over the past few years,” Jeffrey Scott, a spokesperson for the US Drug Enforcement Adminstration (DEA), told The Daily Telegraph.

“We have supplemented our in-country offices with training and support similar to that provided in Afghanistan and elsewhere, with a view to ramping up the capacity of our counterparts,” the DEA official added.

The New York Times citing officials said that the D.E.A. commando team has not been deployed to work with the newly created elite police squads in Africa.

                                               

According to the publication, officials explained that if Western security forces did come to play a more direct operational role in Africa, for historical reasons they might be European and not American.

In May 2012, the Assistant US Secretary of State for international narcotics and law enforcement, William R. Brownfield visited Ghana and Liberia and was believed to have put the finishing touches on a West Africa Cooperative Security Initiative, which will try to replicate across 15 nations the steps taken in battling trafficking groups operating in Central America and Mexico.

Even though the ability of nations to deal with drug trafficking has improved , Mr Brownfield, according to the New York Times indicated that because drug traffickers have already moved into Africa, there is a need for the immediate elite police units that have been trained and vetted.

Source: radioxyzonline.com

Ghana Oil Company records GH¢617m turnover

The annual turnover of Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL) rose from GH¢514.36 million in 2010 to GH¢617.67 million in 2011, an increase of 30 per cent, Mr Patrick Akorlie, GOIL Managing Director, said at the company’s 43rd Annual General Meeting in Accra.

He said dividend payout at GH¢0.014 per share, totaled GH¢2.94 million, which amounted to 37 per cent of profit after tax and explained that “this is in line with the Company’s policy of paying not less than 30 per cent profit after tax as dividend”.

                                                     
Mr Akorlie said profit after tax was GH¢7.888 million, representing  25 per cent improvement over the profits of 2010, whilst tax contributions to government – taxes and dividends, increased by 32 per cent over the contributions of 2010 to stand at GH¢65.083 million.

He said the share price kept its value over the year and increased to GH¢0.32 from GH¢0.30, describing it as a remarkable vote of confidence from the Ghana Stock Exchange when stocks generally were on the decline.

Mr Akorlie said in 2011: “the re-branding efforts were in incubation”, and stressed that “the results of the re-branding are very apparent now and we expect the performance to reflect the positive reactions in the coming years”.

He said the Board and Management of GOIL had identified challenges of the oil industry as well as opportunities, and were striving to take advantage of them.

GOIL was incorporated as a private limited liability company on June 14, 1960 as AGIP Ghana Company Limited with the objectives of marketing petroleum products and related products, particularly fuels, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, lubricants, bitumen and specialty products in Ghana.

The government in 1974 acquired the shares of AGIP SPA and Hydrocarbons International Holdings in AGIP Ghana Company Limited and by a special resolution in 1976 changed the name of the Company to Ghana Oil Company Limited.

By a shareholders resolution, passed on August 1, 2007, the Company adopted new regulations and was converted into a public Company.

 source: radioxyzonline.com

President Mahama heads to Cape Coast to mourn with Mills' family

President John Dramani Mahama would be leaving Accra for Cape Coast Saturday morning to offer his condolence to the immediate family of the late President Mills.

The late President died on Tuesday afternoon after being rushed to the 37 Military Hospital, Accra.

                                                                         
Haruna Iddrisu indicated on Joy FM's and Multi TV’s news analysis programme Newsfile, that President Mahama visit to the native region of Prof. Mills was to offer them support in this great trying moments.

President Mahama is also expected to visit Ekumfi Otuam, the hometown of the late President.

This is President Mahama’s first trip outside Accra since he was sworn in as president of the country hours after the demise of the President John Evan Fiifi Atta Mills

  source: Myjoyonline.com

President Mills Funeral Slated For August 8-10, Accra

The controversy that has surrounded the final resting place of President Mills has been laid to rest with an announcement by the family that he will be buried in Accra. The family has slated August 8-10 for the funeral of the departed President. According to Kwesi Amissah, a brother to President Mills, the family in consultation with government reached an agreement that the late President be buried in Accra at a special cemetery which will be announced soon.                                                  Mr Amissah, who was speaking on Metro TV Friday afternoon from Prof Mills' family home in Akamfua in Cape Coast, said all the confusion surrounding his burial has been cleared. He said initially, certain people had tried to demand that he buried somewhere else; those at Cape Coast had wanted him to be buried at Otuam but after meetings with government in Accra, they had agreed on the capital. Mr Amissah stated emphatically that all the final funeral rites would be held in Accra adding there would be no other ceremonies anywhere else. He said they were now waiting for the government to communicate the date for the funeral rites and burial. Mr Amissah also revealed that President Mills' one week would be held at his Regimanuel Gray residence at the Spintex Road on Tuesday, July 31.

Source: Adomonline.com

Prez Mills to be buried at Flagstaff House

The late President Mills will be buried at the Flagstaff Staff House, Accra, this is according to the Minister of Communications, Haruna Iddrisu.

Official sources have indicated that the burial of the late President Mills has been scheduled for August 8-10 after consultations with family members of the late President.

Funeral Service and Burial will take place on Friday, August 10 2012.

Speaking on Joy FM on Saturday, Haruna Iddrisu disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama took the decision which would see to it that a portion of the Flagstaff House is dedicated to the burial of Presidents of the country.

Meanwhile, a committee has been put in place to oversee the burial arrangement of the late President Mills.**

source: radioxyzonline.com

London 2012 Olympic Games: The Opening Ceremony

Thousands of spectators are arriving at the Olympic Park to watch athletes take centre stage for the first full day of competition at London 2012.

It follows Danny Boyle's epic opening ceremony celebration of British culture which featured an unlikely meeting between the Queen and James Bond.
 The first gold medal will be won on Saturday morning in the women's 10m air rifle at the Royal Artillery Barracks.

WATCH LIVE OLYMPICS HERE

Cyclist Mark Cavendish aims to claim Team GB's first gold in the road race.
                                        
Huge crowds are expected to line streets in London and Surrey to watch Cavendish and Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins in the race with road closures and parking restrictions in place throughout.

 Cavendish has said he hopes to "light the fire" for the GB team over the 250km route which starts and finishes on The Mall.

Britain's other big medal hopeful of the day is Scotland's Hannah Miley, 22, in the women's 400m individual medley who is ranked third-fastest in the world this year in the event.
Team GB women's pair Heather Stanning and Helen Glover will be among the first to race as the Olympic rowing events begin in Berkshire.
In total, athletes will compete in 19 sports on Saturday with medals also due to be awarded in archery, fencing, judo, swimming and weightlifting.
Great Britain's swimmers skipped Friday night's ceremony because of their early start in swimming events at the Aquatics Centre.

On Saturday night, meanwhile, 14-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps will race against rival and fellow-American Ryan Lochte in the 400m individual medley final.
On Friday night, the Queen declared the London Olympics officially open, before seven young athletes were given the honour of lighting the ceremonial flame.
The seven, chosen by British Olympic champions, each lit a single tiny flame on the ground, igniting 205 petals, one for each competing nation or territory.

Long stems then rose towards each other to form a cauldron, signifying unity.

The flame had arrived via the Thames on a speedboat carrying David Beckham, who handed the torch to five-time rowing gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave.
The show began with iconic images of London and Britain being beamed to the world, and all four countries of the UK being represented in song with a field at the stadium turned into a meadow with live animals.
The show moved through the "great revolutions in British society", from an agricultural setting through to the Industrial Revolution itself.
Steelworkers began forging material that transformed into golden Olympic rings prompting cheers from the 80,000-strong crowd

There were cheers too as the crowd saw a film featuring a meeting between the Queen and Daniel Craig, as agent 007 James Bond.
"Good evening Mr Bond," she said before the pair left together, heading towards the Olympic Stadium in a helicopter.
The aircraft then flew over the stadium to the sound of the Bond theme tune, as two figures parachuted down, one dressed as the monarch, before the Queen appeared in the stands.
There were also appearances from comic actor Rowan Atkinson, as Mr Bean, as well as from musicians including Mike Oldfield, Dizzee Rascal and Sir Paul McCartney

source: bbc.com


                                               

NPP Bawku Central MP Jailed For Two Years

The New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Bawku Central Adamu Dramani Sakande has been sentenced to two years imprisonment by the Fast-Track High Court.

He was found guilty of false declaration of office, perjury and deceiving a public officer.

Joy News' Anny Osabutey reported he has been whisked away to start his sentence by the police.

Mr Dramani's lawyers pleaded for mitigation.

Mr Yonny Kulendi, lawyer for the MP told the court Mr Adamu Dramani was a victim of circumstances.

Mr Dramani, according to the lawyer, procured the services of a certain Stanley Opoku, who claimed to be a lawyer, to help him renounce his citizenship and was led to believe the renunciation had been done. But the court rejected the plea.

A cattle farmer sued the MP, accusing him of violating the electoral laws of by contesting the Bawku Central Constituency Parliamentary seat whilst still a British citizen.

The state took interest in the case and filed nine counts relating to his nationality, perjury, forgery of passport, election fraud and deceiving public officers to be elected as an MP against Mr Dramani.

He was however exonerated on six of those charges on July 8, 2010, leaving with three charges of false declaration of office, perjury and deceiving a public officer.

He was sentenced to two years for each of the charges but the sentences will run concurrently.

The MP showed a brave face, Anny Osabutey reported, forced a smile, shook a few hands and thumped feebly into the air to assure a few supporters present at the precincts of the court before being whisked away. 

 source: myjoyonline.com

Pope Benedict Sends Message Of Condolence & Offers Special Prayers For President John Mahama

Pope Benedict on behalf of the Catholic Church has sent a message of condolence to the government and people of Ghana, on the death of former President John Mills.


Accompanying the message was a special prayer from the Pope to President John Mahama.


 In a message delivered by the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Reverend Leon Kalenga, the Pope urged the President to continue with the Principles of Peace and stability which former President Mills pursued.

President John Mahama thanked the delegation and gave the assurance that he will continue with the ideals of President Mills

gbcghana.com

Prof Mills' last wishes were to build Cape Coast stadium, Kotokuraba market - Haruna Iddrisu

The Minister for Communications, Haruna Iddrissu has revealed that chief among Mills’ last wishes before his demise were to honour his promise to build a stadium for his native region, Cape Coast as well as renovate the Kotokuraba market also in the Central Region.

According to the Communications Minister, the late President was preparing feverishly for the Ogua Fetu Afahye which is celebrated annually by the chiefs and people of Cape Coast when he was suddenly taken ill.

 

He added that the late J.E.A. Mills confided in him and lamented about the attitude of the Chinese contractor who had been given the mandate to complete the stadium project.

Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Thursday, Haruna Iddrisu revealed that the late President Mills tasked him together with a senior Minister of State, (whose identity he would not want to disclose) in order not to break his oath of secrecy in office, to see to it that the two projects are completed on schedule.

Mr. Iddrisu said, the above projects were very dear to the late President and he had wanted to use his visit to the region during the festival, to redeem the pledge he made to the people of Cape Coast, concerning the protracted projects.

The late President Mills was battling illness and had recently flown to the United States on a routine medical-check. Upon his arrival from the medical-up check, he resumed his duties until he was suddenly taken ill on Tuesday afternoon and consequently rushed to 37 Military Hospital in Accra, where he was pronounced dead at 2:15pm.

Mr. Iddrisu said the sudden passing of the man affectionately called “Asomdwehene”, has left his close confidantes, "down, distraught and devastated" particularly when the party was preparing to hit the campaign trail for the December 2012 elections which Mills expressed optimism in winning.

The Communications Minister rallied on the young government appointees to come together and honour the memory of the late President Mills.

Haruna Iddrisu indicated the family of the late President would be meeting Thursday to prepare the funeral arrangements. 

 source:myjoyonline.com

Rawlingses: We Regret News Of Mills’ Death

The former first couple of Ghana, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings and Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, have expressed regret at news of the passing of President John Evans Atta Mills.

President Mills died at the 37 Military Hospital on Tuesday at 14.15 GMT – three days after celebrating his 68th birthday.

 

                                             

The Office of the Chief of Staff informed President and Mrs. Rawlings of President Mills’ death.

The former first couple wishes to express their condolences to the family, a statement from the Office of ex-President Rawlings said.

The Rawlingses are currently in Brazzaville, Congo participating in activities marking the formal launch of Forbes Africa, at the invitation of President Denis Sassou N’Guesso.

According to the statement, President Rawlings will make a formal statement when he returns to Accra.

President Mills’ deputy, Vice-President John Dramani Mahama, has been sworn in as President and has declared seven days of national mourning where all flags are supposed to fly at half mast.

In his acceptance speech, President Mahama described former President Mills as “a father, a friend and a senior colleague.

 source: peacefmonline.com

John Mahama takes over as 4th President of Ghana

Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood on Tuesday night swore into office, Mr. John Dramani Mahama in Parliament as the 4th President of the Republic of Ghana and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces. President John Mahama takes over the remaining term of Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, who died earlier on Tuesday at the 37 Military Hospital after suffering a short illness.

 

President Mahama until Tuesday was Vice President for the late President Mills.

Parliament was recalled by Speaker of Parliament Joyce Bamford-Addo for an emergency sitting after an earlier meeting in the day, where a letter was read by the speaker informing MP’s of the President’s decision to travel to Nigeria on Tuesday night on an official visit.

Both sides of the political divide wore black and red, to signify their grief.

Mr. Mahama returned to Ghana and, from 1991 to 1996, he worked as the Information, Culture and Research Officer at the Embassy of Japan in Accra.

From there he moved to the nongovernmental agency (NGO) PLAN International's Ghana Country Office, where he worked as International Relations, Sponsorship Communications and Grants Manager.

Mahama was first elected to the Parliament of Ghana in 1996 to represent the Bole/Bamboi Constituency for a four-year term. In April 1997, Mr. Mahama was appointed Deputy Minister of Communications.

He rose to become the substantive Minister of Communications by November 1998; it was a position he held until January 2001 when the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which was the current ruling party, handed over power to the newly elected New Patriotic Party's government.

In 2000, Mahama was re-elected for another four-year term as the Member of Parliament for the Bole/Bamboi Constituency. He was again re-elected in 2004 for a third term. From 2001 to 2004, Mahama served as the Minority Parliamentary Spokesman for Communications. In 2002, he was appointed the Director of Communications for the NDC.

Mahama has seven children. He is married to Lordina Mahama.
It is unclear however, if President John Mahama will be selected by the National Democratic Congress to lead the party in the December elections.

source: myjoyonline.com

GHANA PRESIDENT IS DEAD

Prof John Evans Atta Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana is dead according to reliable information reaching Peacefmonline.com.

His death occurred at the 37 Military hospital in Accra on Tuesday afternoon.

 

Prof John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills was born on 21st July 1944 and was Sixty Eight-years-old (68-years-old).

He was the third and current President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana and was inaugurated on the 7th of January 2009, having defeated the ruling party's candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2008 election.

He was Vice-President from 1997 to 2001 under President Jerry John Rawlings, and stood unsuccessfully in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections as the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He recently returned from a nine day medical check-up in the United States.

Prior to his trip to the U.S of A on June 16th, questions had been asked about the whereabouts of the president after he had not been seen in public for close to two weeks whilst communal violence ravaged parts of the country.

After a successful routine medical checkup in New York, H.E the President of the Republic of Ghana arrived home at about 12:45pm on Monday 25th June, 2012 to a rousing welcome.

Before his departure to the USA, President Mills quashed rumours of his death when he addressed the media. He also stated that he is going for a “routine check-up” and will be “away for a few days.”

In a formal notice to Parliament, President Mills said he will be away in the US until June 25, 2012.

Details of the Presidential notice were read to MP’s during Tuesday's sitting of the House by the first Deputy Speaker, Hon Edward Doe Adzaho, who presided over proceedings.

The President’s letter read: “In accordance with Article 59 of the Constitution of Ghana, I write to inform you that I shall be away in the US from Saturday, 16 June to Monday 25 June, 2012 for a routine medical check-up.

“During my absence the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E John Dramani Mahama, shall in accordance with Article 60 (8) of the Constitution act in my stead. Kindly accept, Right Honourable the assurances of my highest consideration.

Signed

Prof. John Evans Atta Mills,

President of the Republic of Ghana.

This was his last letter to parliament prior to his “routine check-up” in the United States of America.


 

                           
Condolences to all Ghanaians and his family from.
 source:Peacefmonline.com

NPP accuses Ellembele DCE of collapsing bridge to thwart Akufo-Addo tour

The District Chief Executive of Ellembele, Mr Daniel K. Eshun, has been accused of causing a bridge to be collapsed to thwart a campaign tour of the NPP Presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo.                         

He has denied the allegation.

                                                                                                           

The flag-bearer is in the Western Region as part of his Restore Hope tour and was scheduled to visit a certain hospital but the bridge to the hospital a few minutes before Nana Addo's entourage got there had its concrete slabs being removed.

Radio Maxx's Ebenezer Afenyi Dadzie told Joy News drivers and other commuters expressed surprise when they discovered the bridge was being collapsed.

He said the NPP flag-bearer determined to continue with his tour, allowed some members of his entourage to walk on the remaining concrete slabs to cross to the other side and hopped into taxi cabs and left, leaving him and journalists traveling with behind. A vehicle later used a different route to come and convey him.

With residents angry and complaining that the collapse of the bridge was unannounced, Deputy Communications Director of the NPP, Mr John Boadu, told Joy News the removal of the bridge must have been orchestrated by the DCE.

But Mr. Eshun has rubbished the allegation saying that the work being undertaken by the engineers was not on the instructions of the assembly.

He said it was rather the Ghana Gas Company which sponsored the work.

The DCE said if the assembly wanted to frustrate Nana Addo's tour by removing a bridge, it would have prevented him from even 

source: myjoyonline.com

Woyome declines Parliament’s invitation

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) would have to wait a while longer or probably forgo having an encounter with Businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome who is in the centre of the controversial GH¢ 51million judgment debt.



This is because lawyers of Mr. Woyome have written to the Parliamentary Committee telling them “our client will not take part in proceedings relating to this matter before your committee.”

This was in reply to an invitation letter written by the Public Accounts Committee dated July 17, 2012 to Mr. Alfred Woyome asking him to appear before the committee on Monday July 23 at 1:00pm.

In the PAC’s letter, it said in part that “one of the issues under consideration by the Committee is the Payment of Judgment Debts/Compensation to some individuals and institutions as compensation.”

Responding to the PAC’s letter however, lawyers for Mr. Alfred Woyome intimated that “we are instructed by our client, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, to inform you of his inability to appear before your committee to assist in its deliberations on payment of Judgement Debts/Compensation to some individuals and institutions as compensation as contained in your letter under reference.

“Our client is presently facing two counts of Defrauding by False Pretences and Wilfully causing financial loss, contrary to specified provisions of the Criminal Code; Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (ACT 29).

"Besides the Attorney General commenced an action at the High Court, Commercial Division, Accra, seeking to set aside the earlier consent judgement of the court that awarded him the amount paid by the Government on grounds of fraud.”

The letter went on further to say that “as you might be aware, Martin Alamisi Amidu, the former Attorney General, whose outbursts on the matter is unparalleled, has also filed a suit in the Supreme Court in respect of the same matter against our client and three other persons.
"The cumulative effect of all these is that the very issue you intend to deliberate on is SUB JUDICE and our client will not take part in proceedings relating to this matter before your committee."

In conclusion Mr. Woyome’s lawyers indicated that “please do not construe this stance of our client to mean an evasion on matters you intend to raise but rather as his respect for the rule of law and belief in the separation of powers provided by the 1992 constitution.”

Source: citifmonline.com

Ghana U-20 Coach Names Squad For South Africa Tournament

Ghana Under-20 coach Orlando Wellington has named a strong 21-man squad for the Cape Town International tournament which begins on Friday. The entirely home-based squad will be captained by the 2011 Sports Writers Premier League Player of the Year Mumuni Abubakar who plays for New Edubiase United.

                                                                                                                       
Also included in the squad who depart Accra on Monday night are five players from the second-tier league The Black Satellites face defending champions Nigeria on May 25 at the Athlone Stadium in Group A of the eight-nation tournament. They will also play hosts South Africa on May 27 before thier final group game against Argentina two days later.

Group B consists of Brazil, Cameroon, Kenya and Japan. Ghana are preparing for the 2013 African Youth Championship qualifier against Uganda in July.

Ghana squad:

Goalkeepers: Felix Annan (Kotoko), Muntari Tagoe (Medeama)

Defenders: Baba Rahaman (Kotoko), Richmond Nketia (Mighty Jets), Daniel Sowatey (Great Olympics), Emmanuel Obour (Unity FC), Lawrence Lartey (AshGold), Edwin Frimpong Manso (Liberty Professionals), Daniel Amartey (Inter Allies), Isaac Sackey (Liberty).

Midfielders: Prince Baffoe (Kotoko), Tamimu Muntari (Mighty Jets), Jacob Appau Asiedu (Medeama), Moro Ibrahim (New Edubiase), Mumuni Abubakar (New Edubiase), Sarfo Gyamfi (Wa All Stars), Seidu Salifu (Wa All Stars).

Strikers: Fatau Safiu (International Allies), Benjamin Fadi (Heart of Lions), Bernard Arthur (Feyenoord), Abdul Basit Adam (Edubiase).

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

PPP Is Only Engaging In Media Politics…Mark My Words, They Won’t Make Any Impact In 2012 - Adenta MP

The NDC MP for Adenta, Hon. Kojo Adu-Asare has described the Progressive People Party (PPP) as not having any strong base at the grass-roots level and only interested in engaging 

in media politics.

 

Hon.Kojo Adu-Asare

                                                          

To him, the PPP is no threat to the electoral fortunes of the NDC as a political party for one to worry about.

The Adenta MP was reacting to comments by Ishmael Kwesi Longdon, a member of the PPP’s Communication Team on Peace FM’s flagship programme ‘Kokrokoo’.

The PPP activist had earlier stated on the same platform that the ruling party should concern itself with addressing the needs of Ghanaians and improve on bettering the lot of the masses instead of slugging it out with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) over who owns a campaign       slogan.

After quibbling ceaselessly over a litany of issues not excluding the payment of judgment debts, the two frontline political parties are set for a collision course over who owns the rights of a slogan.

Whiles the NDC claims “People Matter, You Matter” belong to them based on the social democratic credentials of the party, the NPP insists the slogan is their bonafide property and has for a year now been the title of their 2012 Manifesto, chosen after personal interactions held with the suffering masses.

Speaking to the issue on “Kokrokoo”, Kwesi Longdon said Ghanaians are simply fed up with the constant back-and-forth between the NDC and the NPP, and the country impatiently expects some positive transformation in the political arena with the PPP, the next perfect choice to bring about that needed revolution.

But in a sharp riposte, the NDC MP scoffed at the portrayal of Dr Nduom’s PPP as a credible third force in Ghanaian politics. According to him, the PPP will always struggle for recognition alongside the two dominant political parties; the NDC and NPP

Contributing to discussions on the programme, the Adenta MP said he doubts whether Ghanaians will settle for just any party and therefore does not consider the PPP as making any meaningful impact in the December electoral polls. “…let me be candid, I don’t think the PPP is a party that anybody should worry about because they are not on the ground. They are simply engaged in media politics. With my little experience in politics, NDC will pull through the 2012 elections and it will be proof of my assertions…Most often when they (PPP) even talk, we don’t want to respond because we know what will transpire in the end. In 2008, when Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom was flagbearer of the CPP, he harped on about having registered 1million card-bearing members, but when the electoral results trickled in, what did we see?…PPP is nowhere on the ground. Granted that they have the right to also comment (on issues) as Ghanaians and we will take it in good faith, but to present themselves as being credible with the aim of making any impact in Ghanaian politics, I don’t see it happening. Mark my words!...It is not about eloquence at IEA or clarity of diction, and so we beg them to keep quiet...,” Hon Adu Asare said.

Source: Rebecca Addo-Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Anger in Parliament as Mills cut MPs’ emoluments

President Mills last week stirred Parliament and riled Members of the legislative body by reportedly cutting their emoluments.

Insider information indicate there was anger and trepidation in the House when the cut was announced.                                                                                                                                                                             
          

                                                                                    
Parliament had a closed door sitting last Friday to consider a number of urgent matters, with the issue of the emoluments being obviously the most topical.

For their ex gratia, MPs were entitled to four months’ salary of each year served but that, according to sources, has been cut down to three months now and MPs are livid about the move.

House Speaker Joyce Bamford-Addo said there was nothing she could about the situation.

MPs are said to planning to retaliate by cutting the emoluments of the executive.

MP for Lower Manya Krobo, Mr Michael Teye Nyaunu told Joy News he is prepared to join his colleague to oppose the decision.

He said the president had set himself on a collision course with Parliament.

“The benefits that the executive arm enjoys, Parliamentarians do not enjoy half of it…and this is just not good,” he stated.


source: myjoyonline.com

Stick to 'all die be die' - Okudzeto to NPP

A deputy Minister of Information, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has counseled the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to stick with the 'all die be die' slogan since Ghanaians know them for that and stay away from the ‘People matter, You matter’ slogan.

The two main political parties are at war over the ownership of the campaign slogan ‘People matter, You matter’ after both parties mysteriously came out with the same slogan around the same time for the December elections.

Speaking at the campaign launch of Nii Lantey Vanderpuije at Bukom Square in the Odododiodoo constituency, Okudzeto Ablakwa asked the NPP to be creative and come out with a different slogan since the 'People mater, You matter' is the bonafide property of the NDC.

“NPP has been going round making noise, accusing us of taking taken their slogan – “People matter, you matter” they cannot confuse Ghanaians because everybody knows their slogan – “all die be die”.

“Those who say “all die be die” can’t say that they care for the people they want to die. People cannot matter to you when you say all die be die. For us the people matter and you matter”.

According to the deputy Information Minister, the NDC is poised to win the 2012 elections "one-touch". He said the good works and massive projects by the Mills led administration will make Ghanaians endorse President Mills’ second term bid.

“NDC is winning the 2012 elections “one-touch.” Today is the President’s birthday and we are very happy to gather here as one family. Next year by this time we’ll all be happy to have him as our president and celebrate his first six months in office”.

“We must not allow the NPP to win the Odododiodioo constituency. We are going into this election to win because we have worked very hard. You can see the good works of the President. We will win the elections because we have carried out our mandate with all manner of transparency”.

Okudzeto Ablakwa further described the NPP as a party of contradictions, adding that Ghanaians must not entrust the future of this country into their hands since they failed to fulfill their promises when they were in power.

“The NPP is a party of contradictions. You can’t rely on their promises. In 2007 they said over 77% of their manifesto promises had been fulfilled but we will not allow them to deceive us again.

“They said they will construct rail line from South to Burkina Faso and it never happened. So if today, they are promising free SHS and Zongo Development find we can’t trust them”.**

source: ghanaweb.com

Ghana’s True Destiny Can Only Be Realized If Both The NDC And NPP Are In Opposition – Prof Akosa

A former Flagbearer aspirant of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Prof Agyeman Badu Akosa, is of the firm belief that until the two frontline political parties, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) are relegated to the political background, the destiny of the nation will be nothing to write home about.
                                                                                    
Prof Akosa describes the two major political parties as nation wreckers who assumed the reins of power solely to satisfy their selfish aspirations, stressing that both the NDC and the NPP are not really concerned about the plight of the down-trodden neither are they interested in alleviating poverty.

Professor Akosa dared anyone who doubted his assertions to tell Ghanaians whether the country’s health system is any better than when either the NPP or NDC was in power.

To him, ever since the two parties gained the mandate of the people to govern, they have never proposed nor initiated any long term policies in the manner envisioned and implemented by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president.

“So what at all is good today? Our health system is bad…our education system too is worse. All they (NPP and NDC) do is to respond to each other and generate heated debates. We need to establish the national interest and form the national agenda and that should form a long term objective,” he said on Okay FM’s “Ghana Decides” Political program, which airs every weekday between the hours of 1pm and 3:00pm. 

The former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service also touched on the bad nature of the country's road network and lamented that a little over 20% of roads in Ghana are tarred whilst roads in food growing areas remain untarred. “Politicians are greedy and that is why I have decided to remain a political basher. Politicians are only Ghanaians when they are in opposition. As soon as they win an election they are no longer Ghanaians, they only care about themselves, their families and foreign investors...,” he said.

Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana