Political Parties Must Embark On House Cleaning

Reverend Professor Enoch Immanuel Amanor Agbozo, the Leader of Ghana Evangelical Society, says God has given a divine order for political parties to embark on a house cleaning exercise to end corrupt practices. Rev. Agbozo said this was to create a new political order, politics and governance of divine and spiritual life in peace. Speaking at a press conference in Accra on the theme: “Jehovah God calls for House Cleaning by Political Parties,” Rev Agbozo said: “God has rebuilt and established the nation for a divine destined glory as His chosen nation for His blessed heritage of glory in Africa and the World.” He said the call was also to provide the political parties and politicians an eligible, righteous, and trust-worthy government in the management of national affairs in furtherance to God’s will. Rev Agbozo said political parties and politicians had created political parties as “instruments of corruption, robbery and malfeasance and avenues for the transfer and takeover of national assets.” He said the political parties had brought upon the nation an overwhelming worship of money which had thwarted the progress and prosperity of the people and nation at large. Rev. Agbozo expressed concern about the country’s state of politicisation, polarisation, division and disunity that had corrupted and disrupted national progress, sanity and order in national affairs. “This has created as it is, systems and structures of abuse, dysfunctionalism, inconsistent and ineffective government in the administration of the affairs of the nation and people,” he said. He said politicians, instead of building a united and peaceful nation, had created a more divided people, violent and blood stained nation.

Source: GNA

Gay Man Escapes Lynching

A timely intervention by a military officer at Kwaukudi Park, near Nima in the Greater Accra region prevented a self-confessed homosexual from being lynched by the angry mob in the area. The soldier, (name withheld closed from work and was going home when he saw a crowd beating a man alleged to be a homosexual, but he managed to make sure peace and order was maintained as well as save the man’s life. According to witnesses, the victim, Abdul Kadiri Mutawakil was invited by a friend to watch a football game at the Kawukudi Park, but was not aware of the hidden intention to beat him up because he is a homosexual, which he admitted himself. Mutawakil allegedly claimed he was born a homosexual and therefore cannot control the urge of his sexual orientation, words which angered the angry crowd even more as they jumped on him and handed him severe beatings. Luck was on his side, however, when he was rescued due to the intervention of the military man who stopped the angry mob and prevented the situation from escalating. The beating of Mr Mutawakil comes a few months after another alleged gay was beaten up, lashed and made to confess his sexual orientation in a video recording at Nima. Homosexuality is frowned upon by the Ghanaian society even though rumours persist that a host of people actively engage in it.

Source: Daily Heritage

Man Kills Wife Over Banku Without Fish

The New Juaben Municipal Police Command in the Eastern Region has arrested Kwaku Larbi Amo, a forty-one year old farmer at Nkurakan, near Koforidua for allegedly killing his wife, Comfort Obiri, forty years, over food. The suspect is alleged to have beaten his wife to pulp for failing to cook food for the family having been given GHC10.00 to prepare supper. The suspect and deceased had been married for the past 25 years and blessed with six children. The incident occurred at Nkurakan on December 23, 2014; however, the suspect deserted the community and went into hiding at Akwaduuso, a farming community in the Atiwa District. Information gathered by the Daily Heritage indicates that on that fateful day the suspect gave the wife, now deceased, GHC10.00 to prepare supper for the family, however, upon his return to the house, he saw the children eating banku without fish. The suspect was told by the children that the deceased had left the house to a friend’s house, which he followed. When he got to the house, the suspect saw the deceased eating a bowl of fufu with her friend which got him furious, and thus dragged the deceased into the darkness and allegedly beat her to pulp. The suspect left the deceased to his fate when she felt unconscious. Some residents in the area rushed to the scene and took the deceased, who had bruises on the body with blood gushing out from the nose to the Koforidua Government Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. A report was made to the Police, however, the suspect deserted the community but the Police, a few days ago had a tip off that the suspect had been seen hiding at Akwaduuso, a village in the Atiwa District. The investigator in-charge of the case, L/C Joshua kwoffie thus led a team of police officers to the community at dawn to street the suspect on Sunday.

Source: Daily Heritage

Passports Office Messed Up

It has emerged from the corridors of the Ghana Passports Office that the servers they were using in dealing with the biometric registration exercise installed in 2010 was already out of date prior to being installed. The judicious use of the servers which were purchased in 2005 when the exercise was initially earmarked to have started delayed and instead of purchasing new ones, the same were installed five years later when they “were already obsolete”. This revelation was made by the director of passports, Alexander Grant Ntrakwa when he was responding to questions from a section of the media during a press conference held to update the public on the processes and procedures in acquiring passports. “the equipment was purchased in 2005 from Berlin, but deployed in 2010 by which time it was already obsolete, so at the time that we were implementing the biometric registration exercise, it was appropriate new machines were purchased, but we went ahead and installed the equipment that was purchased in 2005. So, from the word go, we realized that the servers were already obsolete, and since 2010, there has been no proper re-tooling as far as passports office is concerned,” Mr Ntrakwa stated. According to him, when “I assumed office in August 26, last year, we had about 25,000 passports that were okay to be printed, but the office had only two single slot printers which later broke down.” This, he said, made it difficult for them to process the application forms that were ready and had been entered into the server, hence the delay in completing most of the forms they received. “By the time the ministry got us two machines on the 16 of May 2015, we had accumulated again over 26,000 passports forms that were okay t be printed, not those waiting to be vetted and we had since printed over 40,000 forms.” The director of passports also stated that, there were no completed passport forms at his outfit waiting to be printed saying, “As we speak we don’t have passports that are okay that have not been printed,” he clarified. He was emphatic that, newly installed servers have been made available to start processing all the forms that will be vetted subsequently and are ready to be printed.

Source: Daily Heritage

Juju Hits National Security

There was high drama to Blue Gate, the Head Office of Ghana’s National Security System, when some people tried to plant juju on a leading official at the place. The incident is said to have happened at around 4:00pm on Wednesday 26th of August, 2015, in front of the offices of the newly appointed Chief Driver, Mr John Tiga. According to eyewitnesses, they were surprised to hear screams and shouts from the corridor housing the offices of Mr Tiga at about 4:00pm two weeks ago. “When we rushed there, we saw some leaves and paraphernalia that showed clearly that some people had planted juju at the doors of Mr Tiga,” an eyewitness said. The incident confounded many people present, because the corridor is a rather public place accessible to many individuals. Mr Tiga, who is a paramount chief in private life, has been at his new post for less than a month. Many people are wondering why the ‘juju’ was planted at his door since he is a rather nice person and relates well with all and sundry, and also because the man he is relieving has also been appointed to a parallel and similarly useful position. “Maybe somebody was expecting to be appointed in Tiga’s place and is unhappy about his development,” a source said.

Source: Daily searchlight

Bribery Claim Hits Banks

Reliable sources within the banking sector have revealed that managing directors of banks in the country have allegedly bribed independent auditing firms, such as KPMG, Pricewaterhousecoopers (Pwc) and others, over an International Monitoring Fund (IMF) auditing report, which was occasioned by the Bank of Ghana. As part of IMF conditions, the Bank of Ghana is to ensure that all banks provide their financial report to them. However, the IMF, sensing mischief, did direct the BoG to ignore Ghanaian auditors, and rather engage the services of independent auditing firms to do the job. The paper learnt that upon finalization of the report, it was discovered that majority of the banks in the country are in bad state and on the verge of collapse, with others on the way to bankruptcy. It was gathered that the MDs of the banks upon hearing of the contents of the report, hurriedly convened a meeting with the independent auditing firms to massage the report thereby allegedly bribing them in the process. The auditing of the banks started three months ago and thus has become a headache for the Bank of Ghana in releasing the report and its content. The Enquirer gathered that the banks are afraid of writing off bad debts which they have added as part of their assets. The paper can confirm that indeed the MDs of the banks have met the independent auditing firm officials. However, MDs of the banks that the paper spoke to also confirmed having had a meeting with the auditing firms’ officials, but they were quick to deny bribing them to doctor report. When asked about the purpose for the meeting, they declined to comment on the matter further. Meanwhile, industry players are shocked at the development, with some claiming that the bad nature of the banks is the basis for the weakening cedi currency. When the paper contacted KPMG and Pwc about the foregoing issues by email, they both acknowledged receiving the questions about the banks’ audit, but gave no responses to them as of press time. PWC said, “We welcome your comments. Your request/feedback has been routed to the appropriate person. Should you need to reference this in the future we have assigned it the reference number PWC0F9A05DV5. While the KPMG simply said “Your message has been received.”

Source: The Enquirer

7-Member Committee To Review NHIS

A technical committee has been constituted to review the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and recommend ways to improve the scheme. It is mandated to look at the increasing cost of healthcare to NHIS subcribers and the financial resources allocated to the scheme. The seven-member commmittee, which is given five months to submit its report, is chaired by the Executive Director of the Africa Health Economics and Policy Association, Dr Chris Atim. Other members of the committee are Dr Victor Bampoe, Deputy Minister of Health; Dr Obeng Apori, Chief Executive Officer of the Ridge Hospital, and Mr Peter Yeboah, Executive Director, Christian Health Association of Ghana. The rest are Prof Irene Agyepong of the School of Public Health of the University of Ghana, Legon; Dr Huihui Wang, an economist with the World Bank, and Mr Nathaniel Otoo, acting Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). Health Minister Inaugurating the committee Thursday in Accra, the Minister of Health, Mr Alex Segbefia, said although the NHIS had come to revolutionarise the financing of healthcare in the country, it had faced a fair share of challenges. For instance, he said, in recent times high and increasing costs of healthcare had placed the NHIS under severe financial presssure. “This has contributed to the NHIS’s inability to pay claims in time to healthcare providers for services rendered to NHIS subscribers. “Since 2005, the cost of providing healthcare to NHIS subscribers has increased much faster than the financial resources allocated to the scheme,” he said. The NHIS, which began in 2003 with the passage of Act 650, covers 95 per cent of disease conditions reported in the country, with services ranging from primary to tertiary care for all enrolled persons. Dr Segbefia said in the current situation where the NHIS was funded mainly through tax revenues and statutory deuctions, the country’s health goals should guide the design of the benefits packages. Sustainining NHIS The Minister of Health said it was time to explore all other options of sustaining the NHIS by finding out the weaknessess and proposing solutions. Therefore, he said, the committee was tasked by President John Dramani Mahama to examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the scheme. The committee would also consider the initiatives needed to be undertaken to bring permanent resolution to issues identified and the persons and institutions that needed to take the action. Committees’s response Dr Chris Atim, who spoke via skype from a location outside the country, said it was crucial to pool resources to find solutions to the issues facing the NHIS. That effort, he said, called for higher degree of integrity. Dr Atim assured President Mahama and all Ghanaians of the committment of the members to work tirelessly to meet expectation for the good of the country.

Source: Daily Graphic

Naming And Shaming Corrupt Judges Not Enough – Minority

The Minority Spokesperson on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Joe Osei Wusu says naming and shaming of the judges who were caught on camera taking bribes will not be enough. Joe Wusu maintained that though the exposé is not a new thing, he said it goes a long way in the fight against corruption in the judiciary. He added that due process must be followed in order not to trample on their rights. “Naming and shaming alone is not sufficient, that will not change anything. I think they should be used, as he has appropriately petitioned the chief justice and the president, to achieve the ultimate goal of ridding the judiciary of the corrupt elements in it.” “I also think that the rights of any of the persons accused should not be trampled upon. They should be given the opportunity to be heard in their defense so that it is only and until when the judicial process has been resorted to, to find them guilty of the offences charged, will they be punished,” he added. He made the comments on Eyewitness News while responding to questions over a video by investigative journalist, Anas which exposes the perceived corruption in the judicial system. So far 22 out of the 34 judges captured on video taking bribes have been suspended by the Judicial Council. Meanwhile, a five-member committee has been tasked by the Council to investigate the matter to establish a primia facie case against the implicated judges. Joe Wusu said he supports the suspension provided it was done “in pursuant of the law.” On whether the video should be made public or not, the Bekwai MP said: “If there is no legal hindrance to it being published, I think it should be published. Will that affect the evidence when they are put before the appropriate panel, if not; I think it should be published.”

Source: Citifmonline.com

PEACE FM Reporter Shot Dead

PEACE FM correspondent in the Brong Ahafo Region, King George, has been shot dead by armed robbers. The unfortunate incident occurred on Thursday around 3pm while he was returning from Sankore. According to friends, King George went to conduct investigations on various controversies surrounding the use of fertilizer by farmers at Sankore and on his way back, he met his untimely death after armed robbers who had seized the main road of Sankore and robbing victims of their belongings, shot him at close range. His body has since been deposited at the Goaso Government Hospital morgue. The 35-year-old King George also worked at Success FM in Goaso.

Source: Peacefmonline.com

Low Quality Teachers Make Mathematics Difficult For Students

A mathematics Professor has criticised the practice that allows students with weaker grades to be offered admission into the various teacher training schools. According to Professor Emmanuel Kwame Essel, Academic Director of the African Institute for Mathematic Sciences (AIMS) Ghana, the low patronage of mathematics by students was as a result of poor methodologies used by low quality teachers who teach the subject. Prof Essel made the observation in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of an orientation ceremony organised for fresh students of the AIMS Ghana for the 2015/2016 academic year at Biriwa in the Central Region. The annual ceremony was for the students to familiarise themselves with the mode of academic work, logistics and code of conduct at the Institute while socialising. This year, AIMS Ghana admitted 50 students from 18 African countries of which 18 of them are females. He said most mathematics teachers had failed the subject at West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination and decided to use teaching as the last resort to earn income. He said the teaching profession needs dedication and self-dignity and not monetary gains. Prof Essel who expressed worry about the situation said mathematics is a very important subject which is used to explain physical phenomena to solve human needs and that it should not be treated anyhow. He therefore want students who get good grades in mathematics to be sponsored at the various teacher training Institutions to ensure that quality mathematical teachers are produced to teach and sustain the interest of the subject in the younger generation. The Prof Essel, admonished parents and guardians to put in place the right steps to introduce mathematics to their children at the early stages of their lives. He said mathematics is a subject which could facilitate one's progress in life. He advised students to learn well such that they could use the knowledge acquired to help solve problems in their communities.

Source: GNA

ANAS BOMBSHELL: How Justice Quist Set A Man Free For GHC4000

A bullet-by-bullet account about how a High Court judge Justic Charles Quist set free a man accused of armed robbery after receiving a bribe of 4,000 cedis. Charles Quist-Labor Court, Accra High Court Case: Republic vs. Kwesi Nkrumah Koomson Connection Man: Gyata FACTS Kwesi Nkrumah is a carpenter. He and his two other accomplices namely- Napoleon Gomez and Joseph Azure, armed with pistols and pump action guns, attacked the Unity Oil Petrol Station at Taifa in the middle of the night at around 2am. During the attack, they beat up six female fuel attendants and the security man on duty at gunpoint. As their booty, they made away with the company’s steel safe containing over GHc 11,000.00 together with mobile phones, wristwatches and personal effects of the attendants. The robbery took place in a Rambo fashion, traumatizing the female attendants and the security man especially, who was beaten almost to pulp. The Men Behind The Bribery Deal The story of his Lordship Charles Quist and right hand man Gyata was as fascinating and intriguing as it was disturbing. In this case, the trial was almost ending and the date for judgment had been set. The accused would certainly be jailed. Two defining moments underline the months that we had dealings with Gyata and his boss. Both men were so ‘conscientious’ that they did not want to soil the sanctity of the courts, so no deals, whether verbal or monetary, could be struck at the court premises. They were like priests who could murder but never do so on the holy premises of the Lord’s own church itself. Their homes as well were accorded the same discreet sanctity. So while Gyata preferred to negotiate over a bottle of alcohol either in a bar or close to the beach, for Judge Quist; his car was the perfect place to take monies, in envelopes or otherwise. This cautious, sanctimonious stance was markedly different from the eager-grabbing, reckless attitude of other Judges and their intermediaries whom we had our transactions with. As stated already, apparently, the smart Judge had deemed his car a more secured sanctuary for this type of deal. Yet, it was in this ‘sanctuary’ of his that we captured the salient points of our mission, for instance, how he is on record to have said, "I have all the power, I will let him off". There also did Gyata say “everything has to be done kpakpakpa’. Indeed, as it turned out, Judge Quist had the power to do and undo and did prove true to his word. Prior to the encounter described above, Tiger’s investigator had posed as a cousin to the accused who had been on trial for months on charges of robbery. Strategic Meeting With Court Clerk Gyata (Hidden Camera Footage) His rather stout stature and age even on seeing him, cuts a very matured figure of Gyata, our connection man as we sought to get close to the trial judge on the Kweku Nkrumah robbery case. The proven professional that he was, he had a caveat - all meetings would be away from the court premises. We agreed. Had we any choice anyway? Gyata turned out to be the desperate, always burdened family man who would hanker after money from any source to feed his family even if it meant soiling his hands. He was in a hurry to go straight into action. Gyata doesn't play with money collection deadlines and has great respect for Judge Quist. These were two traits that easily expressed themselves in his utterances and actions. Our initial meetings make interesting reading: Tiger: So concerning my partner, I want to know how best you can….. Gyata: What is he doing, is it an appeal? Tiger: I don’t know but it seems that he committed the offence and the case is in progress, maybe if you can talk to someone, then we will know what we can do about it. Gyata: Robbery actually in this country is a very serious offence, it’s a first degree……and when somebody commits that offence and maybe you even leave him, the whole country would be watching you. So normally when they commit such an offence and we go on to help them, the only help is to consider certain things so that they give them a minimum sentence and the minimum sentence is just to help them, you know with robbery the maximum sentence is life imprisonment. Tiger: What about killing? Gyata: The same, killing attracts death penalty or life imprisonment so it is with robbery. Robbery, even that one is more dangerous because this is the point you want to kill somebody and at the same time you took his things away. So normally, it’s a life imprisonment and then 50, 45 years and so on. But if the court considers as a way of maybe helping, then 15 years, 10 years minimum, it takes effect from the day of arrest whereby maybe you spent like……. The gravity of the offences is what you take into consideration….. So what is the name? Tiger: Kweku Nkrumah and I am Kwame Nkrumah, his cousin. Gyata: So they are involved in that George Ayettey thing? Tiger: No, I learnt it’s against the republic or so. Gyata: Yes, they are many and the leader is that George Ayettey; already he’s serving about 80 years in two different cases before this one. Tiger: When he goes, then he breaks out or what? Gyata: No, he’s already serving those ones in addition to this current one. Tiger: So how did he come out again to commit this one? Gyata: It means that when he was arrested in connection with one, the other one popped up. Tiger: Okay, I understand; I thought when they sentenced him, he came back and….. Gyata: No, so as he’s there, he has not even spent a quarter of the sentence that he’s serving currently before this one too is pending. Tiger: So as I’ve seen you, maybe if there’s anything, that’s the reason why I came, so if you can go and see your man, I would be very happy. Gyata: You see, at times when you help human beings, they go to sing halleluyah somewhere, and it’s like they’ve even forgotten you. Tiger: No, it’s you I’ve seen and you will lead me to where I have to go so don’t say that at all, I don’t want to hear that, yes I understand you, I can’t leave you and go and see him directly, no it’s through you that I can see him, so it all depends on you. Gyata: What I will do is that, Monday I will discuss with him Tiger: Any amount involved, I’m ready to….. Gyata: But as I’m giving you the implications, he will not be left like that; at least he will get a minimum sentence taking effect from the day of arrest or whatever. But why is it that these our brothers and sisters they involve themselves in things like that? Tiger: As I’m here, I have so many things doing there, but I don’t know, if you tell them to do something, they think you’re punishing them or something. I don’t know why they do that. As it is now, the friends (you were with) …… no one will come close to you. Gyata: They will not get close to you. Tiger: Even when you come out, they won’t get close to you. Gyata: So I will go to the man on Monday because that case is pending judgment, judgment is about to be delivered on that case. Tiger: Please do your best for me, I’m begging you. Gyata: Okay, I will see what to do. I will talk to my man about it but call me on Monday morning and remind me, call me around 8 o’clock and remind me, so that I’ll see. (We did cut a deal to pay a GHc 10,000.00 bribe.) Clerk Gyata’s String Pulling With Justice Quist Over Bribe (Hidden Camera Footage) A few days later, having raised GHc 5, 000.00, we decided to schedule a meeting with Gyata to formally present the first tranche of the money to the judge. His eager response was an indicator of the possible success of our mission. We met Gyata at a spot away from the court where we handed him the GHc 5,000.00 part payment meant for the Judge. The intention was to settle Gyata’s later but on receiving the envelope, he made it clear to us that he would take a cut of GHc 1,000.00 out of the amount. There, he took the GHc 1,000.00 of the amount meant for the Judge. Not long after, as planned, Justice Quist’s car approached. On seeing his master arriving, Gyata quickly slipped his GHc 1,000.00 into his pocket, saying ‘ The man is almost here. Let me pocket mine so when he comes we’ll go to him in the car, then see him, (and) talk to him because I don’t know what he will be doing.’ Tiger: I understand, I understand. Gyata: So what’ll you do if (let’s say) he hands over or whatever, will you take him out? Tiger: Ah he? Oh he has to be out of Accra or something but… Gyata: Because, the way these cases are rampant these days; armed robbery cases, it’s becoming too much. It means yourself sitting here, if they (armed robbers) get you, they will rob you too. Tiger: Yeah, I understand. Is it computer? Gyata: mmmm. Yeah there are some issues; we can talk about it before he (the judge) comes. Tiger: Yeah cool, concerning the money, concerning the money. Gyata: What’ve you gotten? Tiger: When I was coming, I shipped some cars but I told someone to transfer some money for me, but still the money is not in but now the cars are in and as I’m here (so) I have to clear the cars before …, so as I am here, it’s GHc 10,000 I have on me and I don’t know, Gyata: Hmmm. Okay if ……….fully ready Tiger: I’ve thought about this thing very well, me I wanted to make a commitment that yes I’m in … Gyata: Yes that’s what I mean. Tiger: So I wanted to settle him first, even though I have to see you, but as you said he has to do everything but it’s through you that I’ll meet him. Gyata: Yes Tiger: So if maybe, (I don’t know) I’ll make the commitment of GHc 5,000 and from here I will go to the port and clear, if it’s the car that I have to sell cheap, I’ll sort everything out before I leave, then I’ll do that. I know it’s some way but yesterday, you see that I couldn’t call you early, I was chasing money, chasing money but you see people want to know what you’re going to use the money for and me too I can’t tell you what I’m going to use the money for; I told them that I have something that I’ve to deal with, but as it is now (me) I am in already, anything that I have to do to take him out, that’s what I want to do. I don’t know if I have to do the commitment and give him the 5,000 cedis then. Today is Tuesday, yes from here, I’ll go to Tema straight and (go and) clear and put ‘for sale’ on it. If it’s quick, then I remove my hand from it, then later I’ll come and see both of you again. Gyata: Okay. Tiger: I hope he’ll… Gyata: Yeah but when he comes I’ll go with you to talk (some) for you. Tiger: Yes Gyata: But just as you’re going to do some commitment to him, on my part too you have to do some commitment; you have to do some commitment on my part. Tiger: Then unless I give him four and give you one because I don’t want to, the GHc 5,000 that I have I don’t want to get there and they’ll tell me the money is not enough because it’s a BMW and we know how BMW and the duties and stuff. Gyata: Ok you let’s settle it when he comes. You give me two (GHc 2,000.00) then you give him three (GHc 3,000.00), you know I’m going to do the talking and I’ll know how I’ll convince him. Tell him that you just met me with our money matter … but as you have come now, you have some cars to clear from the port but you want to do a commitment of 3,000 cedis to him, whether everything is over or not you’re promising that you’ll get back and get him his additional 7,000 cedis; you get what I mean? He’ll understand. He’s not a difficult person. Tiger: (Me too) I understand you too but that means (it is between) the pair of you when the money gets to him, he’s not going to see you at all? Gyata: No, oh no, how possible is that? Tiger: You brought the customer? Gyata: No, these people we’ve been working with them for a long time and we know how they are. When something gets into their hands (that is it,) that is it! They would not, assuming I’m going to benefit from whatever they had I wouldn’t have told you of the need to do whatever for me, no they’ll not. Me, the only thing I like about him in particular is that when I tell him something, he respects me and does whatever he’s supposed to do, that’s the one thing about him. Tiger: Is he far from here? Gyata: He says he’s stuck in traffic round but he’ll soon be here. Tiger: I’m even getting thirsty. Because I’ve not slept …., I’ve not slept at all because it keeps me thinking, I’ve not slept. Gyata: Don’t worry, don’t worry. You as I said ehhh, do as I said when he comes. We’ll get to him, myself I’ll do a lot of talking, then you’ll ask him that you want the half, if you can leave him entirely for now ehh maybe this is what you’re going to do; as a way of commitment, you brought this and then you’re rushing to the port to clear your cars. You follow what I mean? And you’ll try to ensure that you get rid of those things as early as possible to come and top this for him straight. And I’ll also add my voice to it; the thing is you should understand that this whole thing, this kind of thing, it’s some of us who do the actual work. Imagine convincing the person to do something….. Tiger: Let me give you your share of the money. Gyata: Okay. You should have arranged this thing well. Tiger: You were not agreeing with me. (51:00 seconds Tiger gives Gyata his part of the money). You can count it if you want. Gyata: These are the 10s? Tiger: Yes. You can count it if you want. Gyata: Okay. (He begins to count it but puts it in his pocket) Now sure that the money had arrived and he had collected his part, Gyata placed a call to Charles Quist to alert him that the booty had arrived and that we were waiting for him to come and collect. Cash Exchanges At The Back Of Justice Quist's Official Saloon Car (Hidden Camera Footage) Just after speaking on phone, a black Toyota Avensis with Registration number GT 6143-11 arrives and parks at the corner of Afia Hotel near the Independence Square. Justice Quist was seated in it. Gyata rushed to the car and took the front passenger seat while I was asked to sit at the back. Justice Quist was driving himself. Tiger sat at the back seat, while Gyata introduced us. The man appeared to be of few words; he gave straightforward answers and asked pinpoint questions. He has a style for taking bribe! Read the following: Gyata: Good morning sir. Judge Quist: Good morning. Gyata: My Lord, as I pleaded with you yesterday, this is the guy, he’s the brother to the second accused person, he has just come down from the USA …. Tiger: UK Gyata: UK, and that his brother’s issue is a headache to him and he wants to see my Lord, plead with my Lord and see what my Lord can do for him and whatever he needs to do, he’ll also try and do, so I told him that if only he can meet my Lord so that’s why he’s here this morning. Judge Quist: Okay Gyata: To do some commitment. Tiger: I didn’t mean to let this thing happen but it has happened. Some people, when you talk to them, they don’t want to listen. They think the world is like this high, high, but it has happened already but as it is now, only that I’m just pleading with my Lord if there’s something that you can do for him to come, I’ll be very happy. As at now, getting money is very hard but as my uncle (Gyaata) said, I’ll try the best to do what I have to do for him but when he comes and he wants to do it again, that’s him, that one I’ll not be in town again to go up and down and stuff. So I’m pleading on his behalf. Judge Quist: Okay I’ve heard you. Gyata: So my Lord, he wants to know how best my Lord would help him and ehh Judge Quist: Well, I’ll try my best and let him out. Tiger: Thank you sir. As there is a saying, you don’t go to a palace empty handed or something and as my uncle said, I wanted to do some commitment with this. I don’t have a poly something here. Thank you. (5:34 minutes. Tiger hands over the money to Judge Quist and Quist stretches out his hands and grabs the money). Judge Quist: How much is this? Tiger: It’s four. Judge Quist: Pardon? Tiger: 4,000 cedis sir. Gyata: He says he’ll … Tiger: I’ll come again. Judge Quist: When, when is the case coming on? Gyata: My Lord I think this Friday or so. Judge Quist: Friday? Gyata: Mmhhmm. Tiger: For me I have something to clear at the port. I would have given you all the money that I have here, but I have to clear some car at the port, I have only 5,000 cedis here and you know now the port is something …. soon as I clear, I’m putting it on sale and I’ll make sure it goes fast, then I’ll come back again later and pay. Judge Quist: By Friday? Tiger: Yes Judge Quist: you sure? Tiger: Hmmmm. I know he’s in your hands now, anything you say. Judge Quist: What if I release him on Friday and I don’t see you again? Tiger: No, no sir, it can’t be possible. Gyata: Or my Lord you’ll adjourn it to next week? Judge Quist: Ah okay, next week would be. Tiger: I said before Friday from here Gyata: So before Friday Tiger: I’m going to the port now. Gyata: Today is Tuesday. Tiger: Yes Gyata: It means maybe by Thursday? Tiger: Yes. It’s a Toyota and you know how Toyota cars… some people like them fast fast so please I’m begging you. Judge Quist: Oh I’ll get him off, I’ll get him off the hook on Friday but everything would depend on you. Tiger: Yes sir, I understand. Judge Quist: It’s not a big deal. I’ve read the docket and I know how to go around it, hmm? Tiger: Yes sir. Gyata: So the pressure is now on you so at least by Thursday (Tiger cuts in) Tiger: As I’m here now, I’m even shaking, I’m getting sick... Gyata: By Thursday come and then do the proper (Judge Quist cuts in) Judge Quist: How many years has he spent there? Gyata: How many years has he spent there so far? Tiger: Actually I didn’t (Judge Quist cuts in) Judge Quist: You can’t tell. Tiger: I didn’t hear the case early oo. Judge Quist and Gyata: Hmmmm Tiger: I didn’t hear the case early because I was trying to reach him and I was trying to call him; no one is willing to tell me and this one nobody knows what I’m doing now. Judge Quist: What is he to you? Tiger: Like a cousin but … Judge Quist: He’s your cousin? Tiger: Yes Judge Quist: Okay it’s a deal. Tiger: Thank you sir. Judge Quist: So you have to fulfill your side of the bargaining, okay? Tiger: Okay sir. Judge Quist: I’ll let him off but he shouldn’t try it again, if we catch him again: trouble. Tiger: Thank you sir. Judge Quist: Talk to him Tiger: Okay sir Judge Quist: When he comes back, talk to him. Tiger: Okay sir, thank you sir. Judge Quist: Okay. Tiger: I’ll like to leave sir. Judge Quist: Alright. So we’ll see you before Friday. Tiger: Okay sir, thank you. Events that followed got Gyata angry over how Tiger was effecting payment, especially concerning a very sensitive case as the one that we were seeking to have fiddled with. On the next meeting date, we showed up with GHc 2,000.00 As per the computations, we owed the learned judge GHc 6,000.00 and he (Gyata) a cool GHc 4000.00. We were however insisting that the GHc 2000.00 be given to the judge because he would not do our bidding if we failed him. However, no amount of assurances would satisfy a visibly disappointed Gyata; he called the judge again. As usual, the man appeared again in his black Toyota saloon car, same procedure as Tiger took back seat and Gyata sat in front with Judge Quist. It was here that we got to know, Justice Quist would not compromise on taking everything before delivering judgment. In other words, there was no crediting here. Read on ……. Fight Over Cash To Judge Quist, Gyata Bares Teeth (Hidden Camera Footage) Tiger: So I had to call someone to come and give me some money and the money is not even up to GHc 5,000.00, it’s only GHc 2,000.00 the person brought me, so from here I’ve to go home and see what I can do. It’s once and for all. Gyata: You know with these kind of things… Tiger: It’s once and for all. Gyata: You don’t do this kind of things in pieces or whatever, this is the point the man wants, to give the sentence tomorrow so that things will end. If we keep doing this in pieces…… one thing you shouldn’t forget is that some of us, we don’t think about people too much, you follow my point? Tiger: Then you should have changed the location. Gyata: No, it’s not about the location, it’s about you working on time, when we fix a time to meet here, then you go according to the time. Tiger: About your car too, I have contacted some guy, he said he can get it for you but the amount, you will know how to talk about the amount. Gyata: So what are we going to do now? Tiger: I know we still have to give you your thing before we go to ……. Gyata: Yes of course, you know that one, you know this kind of things, you don’t do … I’ve learnt certain lessons in this kind of things, that is why I’m very cautious and careful this time when… (even me) I’ve even stopped helping people because of this kind of tactics that they play especially after they get whatever they want and all that. His tirade veered into another case - a financial case before the court - whereas we thought that would take Gyata's mind off track, he soon refocused the discussion. Gyata: And you say it’s how much? Tiger: Just GHc 2,000.00. Gyata: Then what will happen is that, if only you’re going to bring this and tell him that by the close of the day, you’ll have to come towards Tema. Tiger: He also lives in Tema? Gyata: But you will tell him that by the afternoon or whatever, you will be ready with the rest. Then I’ll tell him that okay you let me get his balance to reach him maybe tomorrow morning before he delivers the judgment, then I have to get my money….. Tiger: I’m cool because I can’t take this money anywhere, I have to go here, go here. Gyata: Because if the cash or the balance and all those things haven’t come, because this thing should be once and for all thing. So what do you want to do with this one? Tiger: When we go, then we give it to him for the mean time so that he will know that we came with something; okay? I’m begging you. Gyata: Honestly, I don’t do this kind of thing… so what time will you meet me? Tiger: From here, when I get to the guy, I’ll give you a call…. I know you’re not happy with it but you try and…. Judge Quist’s Quest for cash, “Pay Or I Will Not Deliver Judgment” (Hidden Camera Footage) Gyata: He just came. Tiger: Let me apologize for delaying. Judge Quist: No problem. Gyata: I told him that some of us don’t wait for people too much like this, and secondly, he’s saying that when he went to the bank, the person has given him a cheque to go and cash the money. When they got to the bank there, they’re saying that the person himself should come so what he did was that, in order not to disappoint or whatever, he organized some Ghc2,000 so that by the close of the day, he will …… this is what he’s saying. Tiger: I understand sir, I understand. Gyata: And I told him this kind of thing, you don’t do any go come, go come. He said he wants to check on the guy, he said he bought his car. Tiger: The one that I told you I would clear from the port. Gyata: So I told him if that is the case, then in the course of the day, he should get to me, then we will see what happens before tomorrow morning. Judge Quist: Okay, you get the money, and bring it tomorrow. Okay? Gyata: Tomorrow morning, yes, I told him, have you heard it? Tiger: Yes sir, I have; this is the GHc 2,000. Judge Quist: You deal with the matter once and for all. Tiger: It’s not in a band so if you can count it for me. Gyata: You bring it. Judge Quist: So you heard what I said? Tiger: Yes, I’ve heard you. Judge Quist: Otherwise, tomorrow I won’t deliver. First thing tomorrow morning okay? Tiger: Okay. Gyata: So you get to me then I will get to my lord before tomorrow morning so that he can [9/10/2015, 21:18] Araba Joy: do this thing once and for all. Judge Quist: Just do it once and for all then we free the guy. I have all the power and I will free him, so no fear. Tiger: Thank you. Judge Quist: So I’ll see you tomorrow. Tiger: Thank you. Tiger managed to raise the rest of the GHc 4,000.00 and a thousand for him before calling for a meeting with Quist. This would be the last meeting before the judgment day. Typical of him, Quist was around to grab his last Ghc 4,000.00 cash at the Afia hotel and with that, gave an assurance that he was going to deliver his part of the contract. The Judgment Day The 25th day of July, 2014 arrived, the court room was packed with lawyers, attorneys and investigators waiting to pursue both civil and criminal cases. Friends, families and members of the public had taken their seats in anticipation of the dreaded judgment on the robbery case. Both the judge (Quist) and clerk Gyata were late in coming. This was because while the lawyers were waiting for him (Quist), he and his clerks were with us (Tiger team) to take the bribe as negotiated. The Tiger team had split into two; one was in the court room and the other was with Quist at his famous Afia Hotel to give him the balance of the bribe money he had demanded in exchange for the discharge of the accused armed robber. It was not until 11 o’clock that Justice Quist and Gyata arrived at the court. They explained to frustrated lawyers that their late arrival was due to traffic. After about some 30 minutes in chamber, Justice Quist appeared in the courtroom and the first case he called was “our” case involving Kwesi Nkrumah and his accomplices. The trial involved three accused persons. The prosecution had called four witnesses who had given their evidence in chief and been cross-examined. It was obvious that this was a judgment that had been hurriedly cooked after the deal was brokered and the cash received that morning. Knowing the deal we had struck with the judge, we naturally expected and “not guilty” verdict. All the same, we were shocked beyond believe when Justice Quist, in acquitting our armed robber “friend”, read a scanty one page judgment. In three minutes, all was over. Three minutes (one page) for an armed robbery case that had lasted five solid years (2009 – 2014). A cry of horror nearly burst from my throat, in spite of myself. It was nothing but shocking travesty of justice. It even became more dramatic when, in his haste, Justice Quist forgot to even touch on one of the accused persons Napoleon Gomez. Napoleon Gomez had earlier on, in a confession statement during the trial, said that he was part of the robbery but Quist, in his haste after collecting the cash, had released him too. Not even the most successful judge is safe in a world of thieves. Just imagine it! The pains of years of arduous and honest gathering and eventual acquisition ground to naught when a thief strikes. Dreams fulfilled at last after years of self-sacrifice and meticulous focus fizzle out in just a day, all because of thieves! Not all are able to survive such shocks. A thief is therefore a very dangerous element in every society. It is even worse when he is armed, not only with a weapon but also with the assurance of walking free from Justice Quist’s court if caught. It would be recalled that in the…edition of The New Crusading Guide, Undercover – ‘Ghana In The Eyes of God’ broke. The story said that over 170 staff and judges of the judicial service would be unmasked for various acts of corruption that they had been engaged in. This particular investigation lasted over two years, and the team, headed by our ace undercover reporter AnasAremeyawAnas, combed through the length and breadth of Ghana to establish these facts. The painstaking nationwide operation covered the northern sector (Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions) the middle sector (Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, Eastern and Volta Regions) and the southern sector (Western, Central and Greater Accra Regions) From judges' drivers, police escorts, ushers, interpreters, bailiffs, through CID officials, prosecutors, investigators to clerks and registrars, everybody was shockingly eager to take bribes unabashedly so as to facilitate dubious meetings with judges and magistrates. We caught different categories of people on hidden camera taking varying sums of money and gifts from desperate clients. Stay put for a series of shocking stories of corruption on the part of people who have long been seen as the epitome of fairness and integrity: upholders of the national motto; “freedom and justice".

Source: Anas Aremeyaw Anas

C/R records 215 Pregnancies among JHS 3 Students

The Ghana Education Service’s (GES) report on school pregnancies, taken from 19 out of the 20 districts in the Central Region, indicates that 215 pregnancies were recorded among junior high school (JHS) 3  students during the just-ended Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The acting Regional Director, Department of Gender, Central Region, Mrs Thywill Eyra Kpe, made this known at the opening of a two-day policy dialogue for heads of schools and girl-child education officers at Moree in the Central Region on Wednesday. Reproductive health rights The programme is being organised with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to protect and promote the legal and reproductive health rights of women and girls in the region. Mrs Kpe described the situation as worrying and, therefore, stressed the need for a concerted and pragmatic effort from all stakeholders to address it. “More worrying is the situation where most of these teenage girls are forced into marriage instead of being encouraged to return to school. This terminates their future aspiration and should be critically dealt with,” she stressed. Vulnerability of teenagers She said another area where the girls were vulnerable and prone to adolescent pregnancy was Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), where cases of defilement in the region formed 9.40 per cent of total crimes in the region. Mrs Kpe said assault and neglect of parental responsibility formed 47.9 and 41.41 per cent respectively and therefore, underscored the need for targeted advocacy of responsible parenting and prevention. Comprehensive approach “Since SGBV, early marriage and teenage pregnancy happen in communities and among girls of school age, there is the need for a collective and comprehensive approach to tackle these issues, bringing on board all stakeholders from these segments of the society,” she said. She said within the past year, the sector ministry had also worked assiduously to get the National Gender Policy and the Family and Child Welfare Policy, approved by Cabinet; namely the Affirmative Action Policy aimed at reserving 40 per cent of all public appointments and positions for women. Mrs Kpe said taking full advantage of the provisions in those policies would require the need to pay greater attention to the education of girls to properly equip them for those opportunities. Innovative ideas The UNFPA’s Focal Person for the Central Regional Co-ordinating Council, Mr David Allan Paintsil, said the council had attached importance to the programme and called on participants to come out with innovative measures to help address the problem. “I encourage you to come out with innovative ideas that will help us to resolve the challenges that confront us as a region and the country as a whole,” he said.

Source: Daily Graphic

Africa not Continent of Doom, Gloom — Prez Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama says Africa is politically stable and must, therefore, not be painted as a continent of doom and gloom. He described as unfair the description of Africa as a continent of corrupt, repressive and, sometimes, violent dictators. President Mahama was giving the keynote address on the “Common African Position on the Post-2015 Development Agenda: the Intersection of Sustainability and Human Interest” at the 15th International Economic Forum on Africa in Berlin, Germany last Wednesday. He said despite the consistent spread of democracy as the result of free and fair elections, and the institution of the rule of law in many nations, the perception of Africa as a continent of dictators, corruption and oppression persisted. “While it is true that there is conflict and political instability in several countries, especially in North Africa as the result of the uprisings and ensuing civil turmoil, the continent is, by and large, politically stable. “Still, many of the democracies are relatively new and, as such, vulnerable to the threats posed by terrorism and other forms of rebellion or unrest,“ he said. Common African Position President Mahama said the Common African Position (CAP) on the Post-2015 Development Agenda was for the African Union (AU) to “speak with one voice and to act in unity to ensure that Africa’s voice is heard and is fully integrated into the global development agenda”. The CAP is made up of six pillars. These are structural economic transformation and inclusive growth; science, technology and innovation; people-centred development: environmental sustainability, natural resources management and disaster risk management, peace and security and finance partnership. “Although each of these pillars contains its own set of sub-goals that are specific to that particular area of focus, non-performance or an intrusion to the rate of performance in any one of those pillars can greatly impact the efficacy of the work being done in other areas. “This is especially true when countries already in tenuous positions, as many African nations are, find themselves faced with unforeseen disasters,” the President said. Refugee situation On the refugee situation, President Mahama said since the beginning of this year, over 3,000 refugees, a large number of them Africans, had died trying to make the journey across the Mediterranean. “In 2014, 280,000 refugees arrived at the borders of the European Union. By the end of this past August, the number of refugees for 2015 had already reached 350,000. Of that number, 7000 have recently been granted refuge here in Germany,” the President said. He applauded Germany for the great role it had played in response to what was being described as the most significant refugee crisis since the Second World War, in spite of the high political and social costs. Present at the event included the Prime Minister  of Madagascar, Jean Ravelonarivo; Prof. Horst Köhler, a former President of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Dr Gerd Müller, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Source: Daily Graphic

Mercedes Beats Audi To Take 2nd Place In Luxury-Car Sales

Mercedes-Benz outsold Audi in the eight months through August to become the world’s second-biggest luxury-car maker, as both Audi and BMW struggled to match its sales growth in China. Mercedes delivered 1.19 million vehicles in the period, 10,880 cars more than the 1.18 million at Volkswagen AG’s Audi. The Daimler AG brand last outsold Audi on an annual basis in 2010. Mercedes profited from soaring sales of its mid-range C-Class sedan and its sport-utility vehicles and also from China, where it was the only one of the top three luxury-car makers to see sales grow in August. “We expect Mercedes to overtake Audi this year and stay ahead for the next two,” said Marc-Rene Tonn, a Hamburg-based analyst with Warburg Research. “In China, Mercedes is benefiting from having two key models do well, the long version of the C-Class and the GLA. The positive effect of those two is set to last for the time being.” China’s stock market rout and cooling economic growth combined to leave customers wary of buying new cars. Passenger vehicle sales in the world’s biggest auto market dropped to a 17-month low in July before gaining 0.6 percent in August due to discounts and incentives such as subsidized insurance. Audi has said it sees “light at the end of the tunnel” in the market and that new models will help it grow there again. “We are preparing to step up the pace with our broad model and technology drive,” Luca de Meo, sales chief for Ingolstadt, Germany-based Audi, said in a statement on Thursday. Sales at luxury leader BMW AG rose 5.5 per cent to 1.21 million at its namesake brand. BMW delivered 135,735 cars during August, a rise of 7.6 per cent, after selling more of the 1-Series compact and the X4 and X6 SUVs. Audi’s sales climbed 2.7 percent to 128,650 vehicles, compared with an 18 percent leap for Mercedes to 139,802 cars. Mercedes deliveries in China, including Hong Kong, rose 53 per cent to 32,763 cars, compared with a 4.1 per cent drop to 45,196 vehicles for Audi. BMW sales in mainland China declined 0.9 per cent to 34,168 cars. Both Audi and Stuttgart, Germany-based Mercedes are seeking to unseat BMW by the end of the decade from the global sales top spot the Munich-based company has held since 2005.

Source: Today

Anas’ Corruption Video: 22 Judges Get 'Exclusive’ Viewing

Some judges implicated in the corruption scandal at the Judicial Service have been given an exclusive viewing of their acts on camera. Some of them who appeared before the investigative committee on Thursday are challenging Anas’ evidence against them, even though the video captured some of them in the act. Citi News’ Fred Djabanor who has been monitoring events at the Judicial Council said, “the committee investigating the bribery case in the judiciary have began showing the video to magistrates cited in the saga after technical hitches prevented the committee from going ahead with it yesterday.” A five member disciplinary committee was set up by the Chief Justice, Georgina Woode to investigate the damning video evidence, detailing corruption in the judiciary.

Source: citifmonline.com

Okeke Ambrose Arrested At Kotoka For Swallowing Cocaine (Photo)

Officials of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) operating at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) Thursday arrested a physically challenged man who was believed to have swallowed pellets of cocaine.

The suspect, Okeke Ambrose Ifedilichukwu, a 55-year-old Nigerian, arrived at the KIA aboard an Emirates aircraft en route to Dubai when he was arrested.

According to the Deputy Executive Secretary of NACOB, Nii Lante Blankson, the suspect left Abidjan for Accra where he was on transit.

Flight lands in Accra

He said while Okeke was on the flight, the airline officials realised that he was behaving abnormally and so as soon as the plane landed in Accra, he was referred to the Aviation Clinic at the airport for observation.

He said at that stage, officials of NACOB were informed about the situation and so they quickly went to the Aviation Clinic to interrogate the suspect, who admitted that he had swallowed pellets of cocaine.

The suspect explained that he had swallowed the pellets in Abidjan and was supposed to deliver them to somebody in Dubai.

After his confession, NACOB officials then took him to the Akai House Clinic in Accra for further observation.

Examination

An X-ray taken at the Akai House Clinic confirmed that the suspect had a number of pellets of cocaine in his stomach.

The clinic advised that he be medically observed while he expelled the pellets from his stomach.

The suspect was taken back to the Aviation Clinic for further observation and for him to expel the pellets.

Mr Blankson said, however, that while Okeke went back to the Aviation Clinic, his condition became critical and so he was quickly transferred to the 37 Military Hospital for further treatment.

As of the time of going to press, the suspect was being operated on to remove the pellets from his stomach to save his life.

Obama Leads White House Staff In Moment Of Silence To Mark 9/11 Terror Attacks

President Obama and his wife Michelle led White House staff to observe a moment of silence for all the victims of the September 11th 2001 terror attacks in the US.

Today marks the 14th anniversary.

Ghana’s Population Hits 27.9 million

Ghana’s mid year population is now estimated at 27.9 million, up from the 24. Million recorded in the 2012 National Population and Housing Census, Chief Statistician at the Statistical Service, David Y. Kombat, has disclosed. He told The Ghanaian Times in an interview yesterday that the Statistical Service was worried that some people in high public offices continued to quote the 20109 population figures, which could mislead people into formulating policies based on old figures. Mr. Kombat, who is also the Director of Communications and Dissemination, said the projected annual growth rate of the country’s population rate was 2.5 percent, which put the population at 27.9 million, from the last census, adding that people should consult the service for update of the population figures. He stressed the need for accuracy in the use of population figures to be able to formulate and implement policies based on credible data, adding “We should always update our figures, they will make people plan based on wrong data.” He said the service had trained some District Planning Officers on the Information Management System software which would enable them to generate demographic data for planning purposes. “We expect these planning officers to generate current data on the population so that we do not use the 2012 figures for planning when we have grown by five years,” Mr. Kombat said. The Chief Statistician expressed concern about the frequent changes of planning officers to other areas to do activities in different fields saying that it undermines the use of their expertise and kills in development planning. Mr. Kombat was also concerned about the fact that some of those officers were being poached by other institutions by offering them better conditions of service, and lamented the loss of core skills at the decentralized governance level. Touching on other things, the Chief Statistician said the service was in the process of undertaking the second phase of the Integrated Business Establishment Survey (IBES) to generate more data on industrial establishment in the country, adding that the first phase survey conducted in 2014, was being analyzed. Mr. Kombat said very little data on non-industrial establishment had been collected in the country, explaining that the results of the first phase was expected to provide information on the structure and performance of the various sectors. That, he said, would assist in the formulation of policies to accelerate economic growth, and also generate more awareness in the nature of productive activities in the micro, small and medium enterprises to serve as basis for provision of assistance to those enterprises which had a great potential for generating employment.

Source: The Ghanaian Times

Robbers Now Disguise As ATM Users At Night...

NIGERIA: The Federal Government has called on Nigerians again to be very cautious and alert when using ATM machines at night, as armed robbers now lay ambush at ATM machine points, pretending to be ATM users and in the process rob unsuspecting victims. This warning is contained in a statement released by Mrs. O.K Abegunde on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information The statement read: “The attention of the Federal Government has been drawn to the operation of armed robbers who attack members of the public while using the Automated Teller Machines (ATM) at night. The general public is advised to be vigilant and alert while using the ATM and should use machines that are located in well lit premises with adequate security around . Furthermore, the Federal Government advices all banks to ensure that ATM’s are situated in properly lit premises and should ensure that they engage night guards to enhance the safety of their customers.”

Source: bellanaija.com

Don't Show Anas’ Video – Sam Okudzeto Insists

A former President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Sam Okudzeto is insisting that any attempts by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas to show the video tapes of the judges taking bribes will be unfair. 22 of those judges have been suspended by the Judicial Council as the Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Woode, orders investigations into the matter. In an interview with Citi News, the respected legal luminary pointed out that showing the video will amount to side-stepping the right processes. “I maintain that until the complete enquiry, they should not show it because you asking the public not to be judge and that is incorrect. You need proof and in this case if proof is provided, the proper thing to do is to take action and the quicker the action is taken, the better it is so as to clear the public mind of the perception,” he stated. While Sam Okudzeto believes that the video should not be aired until investigations into the matter are completed, the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) has counseled Anas not to succumb to pressure but go ahead and release the video. “Anas did the investigations with a purpose and he spent money doing it. He does not need to ask us whether he should release it or not. If it is not released, will he achieve the aims of the investigation? So Anas should be able to take a decision to release it. In any case, one of the tools of fighting corruption is naming and shaming so there should be nothing wrong with releasing it,” he suggested. Mr. Azeem was convinced attempts by some influential persons in society to cover up their ills will not promote integrity. Meanwhile, the Judicial Council has said it will not stand in the way of Anas if he wants to publicly show the video to expose the said judges. Ghana ranked 61 out of 175 countries listed in corruption watchdog Transparency International’s 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index report.

Source: citifmonline.com

UNDERCOVER -‘GHANA IN THE EYES OF GOD’ (Part 2): Ajet Nassam...Many More To Fall

Anas Aremeyaw Anas Reports, Financial Court, Accra He is dressed and addressed as an upright Lord, In court, he courts reverence like God His wig, as worn from age to age, Depicts him as a seasoned sage, Among court mores which have long thrived, Once the feared good Lord has arrived, All must rise till he is seated. Woe, if his wrath is heated! Wielding the power of life and death, The judge represents God on earth. In fact, although this may sound odd, Men fear the judge far more than God. Reverence is not the same for both. The proof is how most treat the oath. Vows in the name of the most High Are no hitches when people lie. So though they know God is greater, They'd lie now and beg Him later. This dreaded judge's sheer presence Devalues even God's essence Yet he cedes this matchless sanctity For transient worldly vanity!  Justice Ajet Nassam- Justice of The High Court (Hidden camera footage) Republic v Frank Kpemli, Richard Afari, Bernard Sallah, Mohammed Sanusi Money involved: GH¢16,000 Connection man: King Gabriel (court clerk) Facts Of The Case Bernard Sallah, together with three others was facing trial at the High Court for offences of stealing and conspiracy to steal among others. They were alleged to have stolen Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) bank (Ghana Commercial Bank) cheque booklets, forged the signature of the General Manager, Finance and the Deputy Managing Director who are the signatories to those cheques, and managed to cash close to GH¢1,000,000. What our recce revealed We decided to use this case as our point of contact though we knew not who was involved. How were we to push our agenda through? How were we to get to the judges to fathom what they do when offered money to twist the neck of justice? At the court premises, our recce unearthed one powerful person among the clerks, King Gabriel. Although he was on leave, everybody pointed him out as the one who mattered if we really wanted to do serious business with the judges. Even when our recce indicated his mission was urgent, he was told that if he really needed results, then it was worth waiting for King Gabriel himself. Often referred to as the doyen of the court, he was universally regarded as the most reliable intermediary between the judges and those who needed their special favors. King Gabriel was reputed to be a shrewd and experienced negotiator who had an encyclopedic knowledge of the inner workings of the courts. A long - serving court clerk attached to the Financial Court (2) in Accra, over the period of our investigations, we realized that he was a very strong confidant, not just of Ajet Nassam but of some other big judges too. King Gabriel literally goes bribe hunting for judges, liaising between litigants and judges to decide how much bribes would be taken in respect of particular cases. We took his contact details and called him, following which an initial meeting was arranged at the premises of the courts. At this meeting, a 'kola' (a commitment fee) of GH¢ 200 was paid to King Gabriel for starters. Tiger's interest was to find out whether we could buy freedom for an accused person, one Bernard Sallah, with whom we had had no prior relationship or contact whatsoever, and whether his poor cohorts in crime, who had no such powerful interveners like us, would be dumped in jail. Face to face with King Gabriel: A doyen of the Court (Hidden camera footage) Tiger: Boss, it doesn’t matter; let’s forget about that issue; let’s forget about that guy. What I want is just for you to talk to my Lord even if we have to see him. He should try and listen to us too and see how best my Lord can help us. King Gabriel: Okay. Tiger: And I hope maybe you can do something … King Gabriel: If it had not been that you want to (kind of) do things your own way, and not want him (Bernard Sallah - the suspect) to know, I would’ve asked you to ask him when he comes to court, how he sees the relationship between the judge and me. He would tell you how I relate with the judge. The judge is my father. Tiger: No problem, so then as a father and son, if you talk to him, I know he would listen, so I’m begging you. King Gabriel: As things stand now, I don’t know what the judge would say, but he’s my father so I would try and see whether I can talk to him and see whether he would understand me or not. I can’t promise you now. So when I go and things go right and there’s the need to push in something, how much do you think that you can push? Tiger: No, I don’t want to mention anything, I can’t mention. King Gabriel: The issue is that (ehhh) right now, you see, these people (judges) are big men and if you want to go to them and ask anything right now, if I go to him and ask him, he’ll ask me and I don’t know but he may ask me "what do you think he can do?" Tiger: He’s your father so how much? King Gabriel:  I wouldn’t know. Tiger: You just say it. King Gabriel: No Tiger: But you can’t go and give him GH¢ 500 or 50 cedis, you’re his son; you know what the father likes and what the father doesn’t like, so that me too I would start preparing from tomorrow going. King Gabriel: You said your name is Kwame ehhh? Tiger: Kwame yeah. King Gabriel: Okay, you let me find out, let me see whether I can win him to our side. Let me see whether I can win his heart when I get there, because I’m not the one who’s going to write the judgment; so if I’m able to talk to him and things go right, then fine; but if he doesn’t agree, there’s nothing I can do. King Gabriel's cash bid (Hidden camera footage) Two weeks later, King Gabriel's ostensible hard work at his grounds work paid off. After several interactions via phone, he notified Tiger that the judge, the highly respected Ajet Nassam J was demanding GH¢ 15,000 and he advised us to be prompt if we really wanted him to free Bernard Sallah. (listen to attached audio) After several rounds of brisk negotiations, King Gabriel and Tiger settled on GH¢ 13,000 cedis for the judge. And for his consultancy and deal - brokering efforts, King Gabriel charged GH¢ 2,000. It is worth noting that, Bernard Sallah (the accused) was yet to mount the witness box. He had failed to appear in court on a particular scheduled date and the prosecution had obtained a bench warrant from the court for his arrest. These were made known during another meeting with King Gabriel and were also captured in the records of proceedings. King Gabriel's Bid Report, Hard Facts (Hidden camera footage) King Gabriel: So that is it, as for the old boy (referring to Ajet Nassam J), he was even expecting me long ago. The only thing is; because you are my brother, I know you cannot create problems for us. Tiger: Yeah King Gabriel: So I know there would not be any problem. At times some people can come and just try to put you into trouble, before you know. You can see that I’m not even rushing. Tiger: Mmm yeah, I’ve realized that King Gabriel: It’s not about money but how to help the person. Now the issue is a very serious one and even if there’s a punishment, then he can reduce it (mitigation of sentence), that is all we are looking for. Tiger: That is it King Gabriel: So I told him, he said the issue in hand is a very tangible one so he mentioned GH¢ 20,000.00. I had to plead with him before he came down to GH¢15,000.00. The Gh¢ 13,000 that I am talking about I have not discussed that with him but once the money is ready... Tiger: We just don't want to take chances on this particular issue, we want to be double sure that everything will reach the top man; but you assured me you are going to take the money to the big man and I trust you on that ... King Gabriel went on about how nice he was towards the accused and continually reechoed how good a rapport he had with the accused persons whenever they appeared in court. He revealed also how he had in times past managed to get excuse duty for the accused when he failed to appear in court during hearings. Dog bites dog: King Gabriel outsmarts Ajet (Hidden camera footage) Now, it was time to go and meet the big man in his office but before that, we had to seek the counsel of King Gabriel on how to split the GH¢ 14000 that we had been able to raise. This was where King Gabriel showed his true colours. King Gabriel: So I wanted to be sure everything is intact, then when we go to him, we close it down. Tiger: Okay! King Gabriel: He has been giving me pressure ever since I told him you were ready with the money, so he called me; let me show it to you, (King Gabriel brings out his phone to show Tiger what he’s telling him). If I don’t show you this thing, you’ll think that what I’m saying is a mere joke. So how much do you have now? Tiger: It is GH¢ 14,000.00 King Gabriel: So how much are you going to give him now? Tiger: So what is your suggestion? King Gabriel: Okay, the point is that, you know what I want you to do? Tiger: No! King Gabriel: I’ll make sure the job is done, but what I want us to do now is, we’ll take the GH¢ 6,000.00 and I’ll give you GH¢ 500.00. You are a man so that you can also enjoy the fruit of whatever you’re doing. Tiger: Okay King Gabriel: I’ll give him GH¢ 8,000.00 and then, that makes it GH¢ 14,000.00, so I’ll take the rest but I’ll tell him that it is GH¢ 10,000.00 you brought, but your brother is the one trying to help this guy, so when we were negotiating I mentioned GH¢ 10,000.00 and you said you can’t get GH¢ 10,000,00 but you’ll have to put in pressure so that the one doing the work can also get something. King Gabriel: Everything is now in my hands, I’m going to push everything, even the docket and everything are with me. You know he’s on transfer from the other block to this side; I’m going to do everything and bring it here. There are little, little connections I have to do..; you understand, I must make sure the case comes before him, you understand; some people must get something small, small. Tiger: Okay King Gabriel: So remove the GH¢ 8,000.00, we’ll give him the GH¢ 8,000.00. If you like, you take the GH¢ 10,000.00 out and give me GH¢ 2,000.00 Check figures on tape. Tiger: Okay King Gabriel: And then we’ll give him the GH¢ 8,000.00. I will make sure everything works well; don’t worry what I’m telling you is the fact. Tiger: Which means that I’ll not go with you to see him? King Gabriel: Oh we’ll go, I’ll let you be in the court room, and I’ll go inside and tell him and then if he asks of you, I’ll bring you in. No problem, I can send you in, you really want to see him, isn’t it? Tiger: Yeah King Gabriel: Okay, I’ll tell him so that when we go, you can talk. Tiger: Okay! King Gabriel: But I’ll go inside and tell him that I came with you; have you understood me? I’ll make sure you see him, if you don’t see him, call the thing off, you understand what I’m talking about? Tiger:  Yes! King Gabriel: I’m going with you to the court room; I’ll leave you in the court because he may want to ask me one or two things so I’ll leave you in the court room and go inside (Tiger cuts in) Tiger: Me what I was thinking is; if you can go and tell him whatever that you’re saying now that GH¢ 8,000.00 is coming to him and then maybe you’ll return to take me and then we go. Gabriel then went in to talk with Ajet Nassam and after that beckoned Tiger to come into his (Ajet) office. Note that Gabriel had already taken GH¢ 6,000.00 from Ajet’s money and had also given Tiger GH¢ 500.00 as promised earlier. Inside Ajet's 'Forex Bureau' Office (Hidden camera footage) After agreeing on the modalities of payment to Ajet Nassam, it was time to go into his chambers (office in the Accra High Court) and present the money to him in person, as had been arranged by King Gabriel. The ‘Lord’ was seated majestically in his office when we walked in. King Gabriel introduced Tiger to him as Bernard Sallah's relative, following which we had a brief exchange of greetings. King Gabriel gave a brief about the case in question after which Ajet expressed worry about the manner in which people record private conversations and make them public. Both men were clearly being cautious about meeting people but perhaps the money was too good to refuse. Finally, the big man pointedly demanded how much we had brought to him. Ajet: Which one of them is Bernard Sallah? King Gabriel: Bernard Sallah, it seems he’s the fourth accused person, he is the one that before we went on vacation … Ajet: The one complaining of being sick? King Gabriel: The wife came to complain that he’s feeling sick, there’s a bench warrant on him. Ajet: As I was saying, some people would be talking talking..! Tiger: Mmm, oh my lord, my brother here has already cautioned me a lot on that (talking) and I assured him that as for me … Ajet: Somebody will be talking to you and then they would be recording you any moment. Tiger: Oh, no, no! King Gabriel: My Lord, that is one caution I gave him. Tiger: He really cautioned me and I told him as for us, we are genuinely here to beg for our brother, so we can’t do that. King Gabriel: My Lord, actually I have assessed him and I really believe that he’s a brother. Tiger: Mmm!  Ajet: Okay, but what needs to be done is, we all need to meet when the time comes. And the thing is that you go home and talk to him. When the time comes, we would sit down and then we see what we can do. Okay? Tiger: Okay, my Lord King Gabriel: I cautioned him a lot. In fact he has been calling me so many occasions and then during this vacation…We have to watch the video again and describe how and when Ajet took the money. Ajet: What he can do is that from the 1st -7th, by the 7th of October. King Gabriel: My Lord we resume on the 6th. 7th is a Tuesday. Ajet: Yes, bring him on the 7th. Tiger: Okay! Ajet: Bring him here Tiger: Okay! Ajet: And then I would make the entry for him. King Gabriel: Ahha before the real date. Ajet: Yes! So maybe by 10 o’clock you bring him here. Tiger: Okay, my lord! King Gabriel: So you pass my place and I’ll bring the record book, the same record book. Ajet: We can even use our record here. Tiger: Okay my lord! Ajet: But since he said ten (GH¢ 10.000.00) it should be ten! Tiger: Yes, my Lord, we would really do that. Even if I go I would talk to my uncle and maybe he would call the wife to get me the rest of the GH¢ 2000.00. Ajet: Yooo Tiger: Okay, thank you very much, my Lord, for the kind gesture! Ajet: Let him excuse us, King Gabriel, I want to give you something! King Gabriel: Okay! You be at the entrance! Tiger: Alright, thank you! Madina Zongo Junction Drama with my Lord Ajet Nassam (Hidden camera footage) After the first meeting during which Tiger paid GH¢ 8000 directly to Ajet, the respected judge kept calling and calling to demand the balance of GH¢ 2000. At last, Tiger arranged another meeting with King Gabriel to go and settle the balance. Generous as he was, and perhaps, badly in need of the balance, Ajet decided to meet us half way to collect the money. While we headed towards his residence, he asked King Gabriel and Tiger to meet him at Zongo Junction. To test how lower he could stoop, we decided to give him GH¢ 1,000. Read the drama that unfolded. Ajet: Ahha what is it? Tiger: In fact, my uncle spoke to my auntie and then she raised something for you my Lord. Ajet: (realizing it was half the expected sum) Ahh why are you bringing it in bit by bit? Tiger: It’s from the lady, you know ladies’ issues. King Gabriel: The uncle is not having some. Ajet: Okay! Well I believe that there would not be any… Tiger: Mmm Ajet: This big bag and you are carrying… (in jest to Tiger's bag) hahaha….! Tiger: Because I just have to..! King Gabriel: Should I take it and accompany you with it? To our shock, the honorable judge stepped out of his car with avid recklessness just to grab the money himself. This greed and lack of discretion embarrassed even Gabriel who asked him to restrain himself and let him rather go for it. Ajet: Yes, why not! (King Gabriel receive bribe money from tiger for Ajet) King Gabriel: Is that all? Tiger: Yeah, the GH¢ 1000! King Gabriel: This one is GH¢ 1000? Tiger: Mmm (Yes) King Gabriel: Ahh! I’m coming. Tiger: Okay! Thank you my lord. After delivering the money to Ajet in his car King Gabriel: Let’s go! Tiger: Okay! King Gabriel: This man paahahahah, the money doesn’t reach them ooh! Tiger: Yeah, yeah, it’s like that. King Gabriel: I was not even expecting him in this car ooh! Tiger: Mmm! King Gabriel: Because this one is the official car (Tiger cuts in) Tiger: I see! King Gabriel: And then normally; now that we are even on vacation he doesn’t use it much like he has been using his own car. Tiger: So this place where does it lead to?  Another Meeting In Ajet’s House With a big brown goat and an amount of GH¢ 1,000.00 being the balance of Ajet’s money for a job well done, we met Ajet in his house at….. He was very happy to take his GH¢ 1000.00 balance and congratulated Tiger for being kind and generous “It was when I was in Bimbilla and Yendi that people used to be generous but in Accra I haven’t seen anybody like you” Ajet said.  Ajet Nasam in another scandal Presently, we received news that Mr. Nassamhad just been reassigned to the Cocoa Affairs Court. Did he change his spots here? Unfortunately, no. Rather, he decided to mark this new beginning with a tint of his previous lifestyle. He accepted a sum of Ghc4000.00that was handed over to him by The Tiger Eye Team through his clerk to set some armed robbers free. Current status of the case  Bernard Sallah is currently a free man. Ajet acquitted and discharged him while he convicted his accomplices in the GH¢ 1,000,000.00 theft case. Bernard Sallah has his freedom now, but might never know (perhaps but for this publication) the story behind his acquittal; the hands that worked in open and in secret to secure his 'unjust' release. On The Woyome Scandal With the benefit of knowing his moral vulnerability, The Team decided to probe his handling of the Woyome case that generated so much controversy in the country, sparking heated debate even among members of the bar and the bench. The focus was on the related issue of a Toyota Tundra that was supposed to have been cleared from the port under controversial circumstances. “Who paid for what and when?” - Has been a riddle wrapped in a mysterious y, inside an enigma. In furtherance of this probe, The Tiger Eye Team sent to Ajeta questionnaire and a covering letter regarding the said vehicle. But waited as we patiently did, we received no reply. A second letter by way of reminder was went unaswered, though we know and have evidence to suggest that he had received it. Justice Ajet Nassam has been on the bench for many years, he is highly respected not only in Ghana but also internationally. He is known around the world for his legal dexterity in handling money laundering cases. Cases presided over by Ajet Nasam. 1.                       http://www.ghanadistricts.net/ news/?read=49013&sports ….Ajet Nasam refused a one month request by the NLC for the GMA and FWSC to agree on the schedule for payment, indicating that the one month directive issued by the NLC for the parties to agree on a payment schedule to make for an amicable solution of the doctors’ grievances was too long and therefore, directed the parties to endeavor to do so within a week, failure of which the FWSC would be cited for contempt. 2.                       http://www.ghanaleaksblog.com/ 2015/05/three-fined-gh30000- each-for-stealing.html …3 fined Gh¢30,000 each for stealing Gh¢ 623,000 from TOR sentenced 15 years imprisonment each with hard labour. A 4th accused person by name Joseph Nyanor, was acquitted and discharged during the trial after his lawyers filed a submission of ‘no case’. Bernard Sallah a.k.a Big Ben was also set free by the court presided over by Justice John Ajet Nasam after the full trial. 3.      http://www.myjoyonline.com/ business/2015/January-23rd/ hfc-bank-court-dismisses- injunction-application- against-ssnit.php ….An Accra High Court has thrown out an application by two shareholders of HFC Bank seeking to stop an Extra Ordinary General Meeting requested by SSNIT. The court presided over by Justice John Ajet Nasam dismissed the application on the grounds that the lawyer who filed the suit had no valid lawyers Annual License to practice. 4.      http://nyaaba.blogspot.com/ 2012/05/money-laundering- caselawyer-accomplice.html ….Lawyer Owusu Juanah and his accomplice, Mr. Victor Amoah who were facing charges relating to money laundering activities were full of joy as they were discharged by an Accra Fast Track High Court (Financial and Economic Crime Division).  This was after the death of Nana Kwaku Agyei on a Sunday evening. Justice Ajet presided over this ruling. 5.https://www.pwc.com/gh/en/ assets/pdf/ghana-on-point- ruling-on-interconnect- services-july-2013.pdf …The controversy over whether Communications Service Tax (“CST”) is payable on interconnect services provided by Telecommunication Company (Telcos) to another was finally put to rest in a judgment handed down by Justice John Ajet-Nasam, of the Economic Crime II court of the Accra High Court 6.http://nsawamadoagyire. ghanadistricts.gov.gh/?arrow= nws&read=40625 ….Ajet was part of a team of judges to free 63 remand prisoners at the Nsawam Maximum Security Prison under the Justice for All Programme. Ajet was head of justice for all programme and has been on US State Department-sponsored programme. God bless our homeland Ghana. More to follow…

Source: New Crusading Guide