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Ghana Web News - 07.07.2012 - Saturday

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The Presidential Candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Abu Sakara, clarifies further his comments to GBC on district assemblies....


Read More (Please Scroll Down

- Fire outbreak destroys Post Office, shops

  in Kumasi
- Veep to launch construction of two cities

  today
- First GHEiTI report on oil and gas expected

  in September
- Nana Konadu wants to make Mills a “one

  term President” - Bature
- Fake lawyer grabbed
- Three year old defiled to death
- Worrying Developments in Ghana’s Oil Sector
- Sofoline police suspect foul play in death

  of 12-year-old
- NDC Won’t Withdraw “Better Ghana

  Teachers Advert
- Kufuor gov’t challenged AAL claims over

  Gallopers
- Panic Over Konadu Party

The seat of government, the Osu Castle, was said to have been thrown into a state of shock yesterday when news of the formation of a new political party, the National Democratic Party (NDP), by some of its disgruntled members was made public....

> Read the full story (new window) <
- Government increases LEAP cash transfer -

  Vice President
- Peaceful elections should concern all –

  COWIGS
- Statement: Dr Sakara clarifies further on

  district assemblies
- Tailor jailed 47 years for hotel robbery
- Assist us with information on crime -

  DCOP Ampah-Bennin
- Martin Amidu issues disclaimer over

  controversial galloper vehicles;
Former Attorney General Martin Amidu has issued a disclaimer to a purported withdrawal from the courts the controversial judgement debt scandal on galloper vehicles...> Read the full disclaimer (new window) <.

 

Fire outbreak destroys Post Office, shops in Kumasi
* Source: Joy Online

Fire has swept through a post office and several shops at Asafo market in Kumasi.

The fire which started at dawn is believed to have been caused by erratic power.

Locally made footwear manufacturers as well as fabric and cosmetics dealers are said to be the most affected by the fire.

Luv FM’s Kwabena Ampretwum who was at the scene of the fire incident reported the losses could go into several thousand’s of cedis.

The victims blame the ECG for the fire incident.

According to them, the electricity was off when they were leaving the market yester night but came around 11:00 pm with a force which may have sparked the fire.

Ampretwum said the traders are still counting their losses, with a mixture of anger and sadness.

About four rooms of the post office have been badly affected.

Kumasi Major Samuel Sarpong who visited the scene has assured of relief assistance after investigations.

***************************************************

Veep to launch construction of two cities today
* Source: GNA

Vice President John Dramani Mahama would on Saturday launch projects involving the construction of two new cities to be situated in the Greater Accra and Western Regions.

The projects are being undertaken by Renaissance Group; a leading emerging markets investment firm and developer of Africa’s most exciting urban living solutions and two traditional communities in Ghana.

This was contained in a statement released in Accra on Friday.

The high level launch event to usher in these innovative and pace setting projects will be witnessed by government and business leaders, traditional authorities and community members, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, the media and other stakeholders in Ghana’s urban development.

Dela Worsornu, Vice President of Renaissance Group, said they were delighted to partner communities in Ghana on these projects, adding; "there are exciting times ahead and we look forward to the launch by the Vice President."

The Western Region city, known as King City, is situated in the projected growth path of Takoradi and the region’s burgeoning trade routes, located 10km from the Takoradi Harbour in the North Asakae area, 10km from the Secondi and Takoradi Central Business Districts and only 5km off the Accra - Ivory Coast Highway.

The development, encompassing 2,400 acres, is designed around a live-work-play concept and will accommodate residential and commercial growth associated with the region’s mining and energy sectors. King City will feature world-class shopping facilities, residential and commercial developments and over 30% of the land dedicated to green spaces.

Experienced urban management will ensure the sustainability of King City’s growth. Built in phases over 10 years, King City will eventually be home to 90,000 residents. Takoradi Commercial Harbour is Ghana’s premiere port and a gateway for natural resources export.

The Appolonia - City of Light, is conveniently situated less than 30km from downtown Accra and Kotoka International Airport, and 20km from the Tema Harbour. Appolonia, situated on 2,000 acres is approximately 12 km off the Tetteh Quarshie to Adenta Highway, offering seamless access to the capital’s growth zones and transport.

The Appolonia masterplan includes large retail and shopping centres, low, medium and high density residential areas, industrial and commercial buildings with strong urban management to ensure the sustainability of the entire development, with 30% of the land dedicated to green open spaces and conservation areas.

Built in phases over 10 years, Appolonia – City of Light, will eventually be home to 88,000 residents. Appolonia is located in the natural direction of growth of the Greater Accra Region, driven by the Tema Port – the largest in the country, and responsible for 80% of Ghana’s cargo.

The Renaissance Group is an independent group of unified finance, investment and management companies specialising in creating value in high-opportunity emerging markets and developing visionary urban solutions across Africa, including Tatu City in Kenya, Kiswishi in Democratic Republic of Congo and Roma Park in Zambia.

***************************************************

- First GHEiTI report on oil and gas expected in September
* Source: GNA

The first Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (GHEITI) report on oil and gas covering 2010/2011 is expected to be produced by September this year, Dr. Steve Manteaw, Vice Chairman of the Initiative, said on Friday.

He was speaking at a one-day sensitization workshop on the GHEITI for assembly members from the six coastal districts of the Western Region at Axim.

The workshop was organized by the GHEITI Secretariat at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

The coastal districts are the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Nzema East Municipal Assembly, Shama District Assembly, Jomoro District Assembly, Ellembele District Assembly and the Ahanta West District Assembly.

Dr. Manteaw said the terms of reference for the exercise has been developed and a draft bill on GHEiTI was before the Minister of Finance and it would soon be put before Parliament.

He said when the bill is passed into law, EITI compliance would be mandatory for companies and government agencies.

Dr.Manteaw said the law will make full disclosure of payments and receipts compulsory and currently, the disclosure of such information was voluntary.

He said the law prescribes sanctions for companies and government agencies that do not comply.

Dr. Manteaw said the first consignments of Ghana's crude oil were sent to the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and the United States.

He said reports from those countries that Ghana’s crude oil is "Sweeter than the Brent of the United Kingdom which is produced in the Northern Seas".

Ghana's crude oil sells higher than that of the United Kingdom by four dollars, Dr. Manteaw said, and added that crude oil from the Saltpond oilfields was heavier and contained much sulphur, which made it difficult to refine.

He said the Petroleum Exploration Bill when passed into law, would stop the refining of Ghana’s crude oil outside the country.

Dr Manteaw said crude oil would be refined in the country and sold on the domestic market first.

He said the second phase of the Jubilee oil fields would commence in the last quarter of this year.

Dr. Manteaw said the Chinabuo wells, which would be exploited were estimated to hold one billion barrels of crude oil, and it is expected to produce 100,000 barrels of crude a day when it begins production.

***************************************************

Nana Konadu wants to make Mills a “one term President” - Bature
* Source: Joy Online

The Managing News Editor for the Al–Hajj newspaper Alhaji Iddrisu Bature is accusing the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings of plotting to make President Mills a “one term President”, by forming a new political party.

Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and other former members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have formed the new political party called National Democratic Party to break away from ruling NDC.

The NDC through its National Organiser Yaw Boateng Gyan has urged party faithful not to be disturbed about the new party formed by the former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.

Speaking on Adom Fm’s Dwaso Nsem on Friday, Alhaji Bature noted that the Rawlingses are working with people he described as “the wrong people” who at the end of every meeting, come out to reveal details to the public.

Alhaji Bature downplayed the position held by pundits that the formation of the new National Democratic Party as a break away party from the NDC, is the result of concerns that the ruling NDC has failed to follow the ideology and principles of the National Democratic (NDC).

***************************************************

Fake lawyer grabbed
* Source: Citifmomline

A 29-year-old man, Zebedee Obikyere, has been arrested by the Narcotics Unit of the Ghana Police CID for impersonating a legal practitioner.

Obikyere is alleged to have fronted as one Ellis Quashiga, a legal practitioner, handling a narcotic case of a certain John Abiwu.

According to the Director of Operations at the Police CID, ACP Frank Cofie, the suspect at one of the hearings at the Cocoa Affairs Court in Accra met Quashiga and attempted to escape.

ACP Cofie told Citi News he was subsequently apprehended and during interrogation it was revealed he was once a clerk at the law firm of Quashiga. ACP Cofie added he has been charged with impersonation and deceit of a public officer.

He has since been granted bail with two sureties, one to be justified. The case has, however, been adjourned to August 2, 2012.

***************************************************

Three year old defiled to death
* Source: Daily Graphic

A three-year-old girl reportedly bled to death at Yobong Kura in the Tain District after she was allegedly defiled by a 20-year-old man.

The suspect, identified as Mahama Oldman, who is currently in the custody of the Wenchi Police, is said to have inserted a stick into the genital organ of the girl several times after defiling her.

Oldman is alleged to have perpetrated the dastardly act in the full glare of the deceased’s mother about 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2012.

The suspect is alleged to have threatened the girl’s mother with a machete if she did not stay away.

The deceased’s mother is said to have returned from fetching water for her household chores, only to find Oldman defiling her daughter.

The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Crime Officer, Mr Saviour Ahiamadi, who gave a briefing on the incident in Sunyani, said that when the girl’s mother was returning from the water source, she heard the child crying and saw Oldman carrying her on his shoulders.

He indicated that even in the presence of the mother, the suspect courageously put the child down and, to the surprise of the mother, started defiling her openly. When she attempted to restrain him, the suspect pulled a machete and warned her to stay away.

Mr Ahiamadi said the mother then called a neighbour, Mr Kwadwo Biereh, who quickly came around, and when the suspect saw Biereh, he ran away on his bicycle.

He said Biereh assisted the woman to carry the profusely bleeding child to the Brohani Health Centre for treatment.

He said, however, that due to the severity of the injuries, the patient was referred to the Nsawkaw Hospital, where she died early on Sunday, July 1.

The case was subsequently reported to the police.

The suspect would soon be arraigned.

***************************************************

Worrying Developments in Ghana’s Oil Sector
* Source: IMANI

Many observers would have noticed a recent brief from Bloomberg about the investment prospects for Ghana’s offshore oil sector.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-05/ghana-oil-partners-to-invest-20-billion-in-oil-fields.html

From the very start IMANI has been somewhat less sanguine about developments in the nascent industry (see previous commentary on our website).

Despite the highly optimistic forecasts now and in the past, it is important to note the following facts:

1. Oil production in the flagship Jubilee field is actually falling.

What was initially considered an adverse revision of production figures by Tudor Pickering Holt is now turning out to have been merely conservative. Production volumes have broken through the psychologically alarming 60,000 barrels a day floor several times this year. On some days, production barely exceeds 50,000 barrels. A graph of the output trajectory since the onset of production in late 2010 points to a new “dangerous normal” of low production for Jubilee. Average annual production may stay around 60,000, and we actually expect the new floor to inch close to 45,000 by mid-2013.

2. Tullow has announced the likely onset of oil production from new wells being commissioned for phase 1a of the Jubilee plan of development by end 2012. These new wells are expected to help stabilize production levels and lift them to the optimistic plateau volume of 120,000 barrels per day.

3. Once again, these projections are highly optimistic and should be treated with caution. The development activities being undertaken for phase 1a follows the same strategy of “speed to first oil”, “excessive confidence in cutting-edge but still maturing techniques”, and “tight drilling blueprint/schedules” that characterized the phase 1 program of the Jubilee plan of development.

4. We expect the lift in production volumes to be marginal in the wake of phase 1a completion. We expect a 2013 timeline for phase 1a to start making significant contributions to total production volume. We expect production to rise above 80,000 barrels for a period and then beginning regressing again.

5. Generally, the results from Jubilee mirror the performance of other offshore projects in West Africa, for instance in Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon, where optimistic timelines and production levels have failed to materialize over the long-term.

6. We do not believe to be credible projections of production hitting the 250,000 barrels per day level in the medium term.

7. We also note that finding costs for Ghana’s oil sector appear outsized in comparison with similar projects elsewhere. Both on a preliminary proven reserves and daily production basis, capital expenditure in the Jubilee field appears to suggest a fundamental lack of competitiveness that requires additional study.

8. While aggressive marketing of the sector’s prospects can enhance its attractiveness to investors, there is also a continuing concern about credibility. Chronic optimism might over time prove counter-productive as sophisticated investors dig in.

IMANI Center for Policy & Education (www.imanighana.org)

Email : info@imanighana.com Web : www.imanighana.com

***************************************************

Sofoline police suspect foul play in death of 12-year-old
* Source: Joy Online

Police at Sofoline in Kumasi say they suspect foul play as they begin investigations into the death of a 12 year old boy whose body was found in a pool of water at the ongoing interchange project site.

Initial reports suggested another case of drowning in a pit at the construction site where three children were killed in May.

But Police say evidence of cutlass wounds on the body of the unidentified deceased give them cause to believe he may have been killed and his body dumped there.

Crime officer at the Sofoline Police station ASP George Nkwantabisa told Joy News the spot where the body was found is also different from where bodies of the three children were found drowned in May after a heavy downpour.

He noted the gutter is not too deep to get somebody drowned.

According to him, post mortem was yet to be conducted on the deceased, insisting the police will rather remain quiet until investigations have been concluded.

Spokesperson for the Ashanti Regional Minster, Francis Dovovi, also told Joy News the regional coordinating council has been vigilant in ensuring the construction firm complies with an earlier directive to erect warning signs to prevent future tragedy.

***************************************************

NDC Won’t Withdraw “Better Ghana Teachers Advert
* Source: PeaceFMonline

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said it will not withdraw the “Better Ghana” Television advert in which some persons thought to be teachers were captured, giving high praises to the government for improving their living standards.

The advertisement featured men described as teachers, extolling the virtues of the “better Ghana” as far as teachers’ welfare was concerned.

The claims made in the advert have been discounted and denied by GNAT and NAGRAT, the mother unions of teachers in the country.

They have described the advert as embarrassing, containing factual inaccuracies, mischievous representation, diabolic intentions and obnoxious.

A statement signed by the General Secretary of GNAT, Irene Duncan Adanusa, stated emphatically that the association was neither happy nor enthused about the use of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) of teachers to highlight the achievements of the NDC government.

They also doubted whether indeed the unknown persons used were teachers in the country.

However, National Organiser for the NDC Yaw Boateng Gyan said on Adom TV’s “Badwam” programme on Multi TV on Friday that, if the executive members for both GNAT and NAGRAT have a problem with the advert, they should sanction the teachers who allowed themselves to be featured in it, rather than calling on the party to take if off air.

Yaw Boateng Gyan challenged the executives of the two teaching bodies to prove that those in the advert were not teachers.

He further denied rumours that an emergency meeting held on Thursday at the party’s headquarters was about the criticisms raining in on the party as a result of airing of the “Better Ghana Agenda advert”.

The National Organiser claimed the meeting was about the way forward for their campaign and other issues of importance to the party.

***************************************************

Kufuor gov’t challenged AAL claims over Gallopers
* Source: Joy Online

Court documents obtained by Joy News reveal the Kufuor administration was in court in 2005 challenging the controversial debt in respect of galloper vehicles imported by African Automobile Limited.

The action was instituted by the automobile dealer seeking damages for abrogation of contract in September 2001, damages for inducement of the company to breach repayment of a Barclays Bank loan and an order compelling government to take delivery of 87 galloper vehicles.

Joy News editor, Samson Lardy Ayenini who went through the stack of court documents said the company filed the writ in 2005 but the A-G at the time filed a defence, making a counter-claim.

In its statement of claim, the company said in part that "In or around October 1999 the Plaintiffs at the request of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development supplied 3 x "Galloper II" 4-wheel drive, 2.5 litre, diesel engine station wagons fur the purpose of testing for suitability of purpose. After weeks of rigorous and highly successful testing of the motor vehicles the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, in January 2000 entered into a contract under which the Plaintiff was to import from its principals and deliver by the end of June 2000 to the Ministry for the use of the District Assemblies 110 "Galloper II" 4-wheel drive, 2.5 litre, diesel engine station wagons. The terms of the said contract (hereinafter called the "First Contract") were mainly contained in two documents, namely: i) The Plaintiff's pro-forma invoice No. MH/AA/OO/2536/PQ dated 5 January 2000, and: - ii) The Ministry's letter ref: SCR/ADM 146/VOL.3/l dated 10 January 2000 placing the order for the 110 Galloper II station wagons with the Plaintiff.

In 2000, the state entered into another contract with the company for the supply by the end of June 2000 to the Ministry, of “certain sanitary supplies comprising (a) 3 units of Hyundai skip loaders, (b) 3 cesspit emptiers and (c) 60 skip containers.”

“The terms of the Second Contract were likewise contained in two documents, namely:

“i) The Plaintiff's pro-forma invoice No.MH/AA/00/3701/P2 dated 2 March 2000, and ii) The Ministry's letter ref SCR/ADMI86/Vol.3 dated 7 March 2000.

The total price was US$874,000.00, and a deposit of ¢5.00 billion was to be paid to the Plaintiff on account under the order for sanitary supplies,” the documents noted.

After these claims, the state filed a defence, counterclaiming the refund of the eight billion (old cedis) that had been paid to facilitate the delivery of the vehicles and the five billion (old cedis) being part payment for the supply of the sanitation equipment.

Since the case was filed, and the A-G entering appearance and filing his defence and making his counterclaims, the case did not move any further because some attempts were being made at settling but no decision was reached.

Meanwhile the Gallopers, according to the court documents were parked in the company’s own warehouse.

Whilst there, “on or about 30th May 2003 thieves broke through the roof into the Plaintiff's said warehouse despite the security of that building and unlawfully vandalized many of the Galloper vehicles stealing there from various accessories and parts including: a) 20 car radio tapes b) 19 CD players c) 42 driving mirrors d) 39 sets of tools e) 78 speakers f) 78 door inner covers g) 39 facia panels h) 39 horns j) 21 spare wheels k) tyres and sundry smaller items. All amounting to a loss ofUS$92,738.00”

In July 2011, African Automobile Ltd. applied to the court to discontinue with the case stating the possibility of settlement negotiations.

Since then nothing much was heard about the case until a Daily Graphic report quoting Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said that the state had been slapped with a $1.5 billion judgment debt in respect of the Gallopers.

It has transpired that the company is not claiming an amount of $1,299,058.45 being cost of storage of the vehicles at the rate of $50 a month, $1,001,456,402.35 for the loss of its Mitsubishi franchise and $127,791,999.75 the amount that has accrued on a $4 million Barclays bank loan facility it took to procure the cars.

Joy News’ Sammy Darko who has been following the discussion on the matter said it was curious that the company which stated in court documents that the vehicles in its own warehouse now claims demurrage.

He said there remain questions as to when the company lost its franchise, given that that was not of the issues brought before the court especially so when as late as July 2011 the case was still pending in court.

***************************************************

Panic Over Konadu Party
* Source: Daily Guide

The seat of government, the Osu Castle, was said to have been thrown into a state of shock yesterday when news of the formation of a new political party, the National Democratic Party (NDP), by some of its disgruntled members was made public..... > Read the story (new window) <

***************************************************

Government increases LEAP cash transfer - Vice President
* Source: GNA

Government on Saturday re-launched the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme with an increment on the current grant of GH¢12 to GH¢36 per month for poor households around the country.

The LEAP Programme is a social cash transfer programme which provided cash and health insurance to extremely poor households across the country to alleviate poverty and encourage long term human capital development.

The launch was on the theme: “Protecting the extreme poor, vulnerable and excluded: Our collective responsibility.”

Vice President John Dramani Mahama, speaking at the launch in Accra, said the initiative was not meant to keep households on the programme forever but support them come out of poverty.

He said it was important to have a social protection strategy that could help the country improve on the lot of its citizenry for national development.

Vice President Mahama said the LEAP was aimed among other things, at improving the basic consumption of beneficiary households by increasing school enrolment, attendance and retention of children, as well as improving on livelihood income-earned activities.

He said the programme has benefited over 68,502 households in 94 districts.

The Vice President noted that, the programme is targeted to reach 200,000 beneficiary households in 170 districts in the country by 2015.

He commended the efforts of donor partners to support Ghana to alleviate poverty from the citizenry.

Mr. Moses Asaga, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, said vulnerability and deprivation has given policymakers a comprehensive understanding of poverty at various levels of economic and social well-being, hence the interventions.

He said it was against this background that the government has developed the National Social Protection strategy, which is aimed at creating an all inclusive and socially empowered society through the provision of sustainable social interventions for persons living in extreme poverty.

“These interventions constitute a composite of social protection programmes which are carefully designed to bring their aggregate impact to bear on extreme poor households and improve their living conditions,” Mr. Asaga added.

***************************************************

Peaceful elections should concern all – COWIGS
* Source: GNA

Participants at a recent seminar have called on all stakeholders to consolidate the country’s constitutional rule by contributing to ensure greater women’s participation in politics and help guarantee peace in the coming elections.

Participants also stressed on the need for followers of political parties to work together and co-exist as one people belonging to one nation.

The two-day seminar in Obuasi which was attended by chiefs, queen mothers, religious and political leaders, was under the theme “consolidating Ghana’s 20 years of constitutional rule-the role of traditional rulers, religious leaders and party executives”.

Among the political parties whose representatives attended the seminar organized by the Obuasi Chapter of Coalition of Women in Governance (COWIGS), were the NDC, CPP, NPP, PNC and PPP.

Mrs Christian Kagya, the Chairperson of COWIGS, said women were by nature competent organizers, planners and initiators who could offer the necessary leadership to help bring development to their communities.

She appealed to traditional rulers, especially the queens, to support and encourage women candidates in this year’s general elections and called on Nananom to advise their subjects to avoid all acts that could create violence.

Mrs Kagya called on religious leaders to use the pulpit to condemn utterances and behaviors that had the potential to create violence and disorder.

She said it was also important for political parties to help eliminate all forms of discrimination against women based on political opinions and gender.

Mr. Seth Frimpong, the Project Officer for Obuasi COWIGS, said the essence of women participation in both local and national politics cannot be ignored and called on opinion leaders to champion the crusade against gender discrimination.

He appealed to traditional leaders to offer the same courtesies to all political parties who might pay visits to their palaces saying “accept all parties and that would even enhance the peace process”.

***************************************************

Statement: Dr Sakara clarifies further on district assemblies
* Source: CitifmOnline

The Presidential Candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Abu Sakara, clarifies further his comments to GBC on district assemblies.

It may be recalled that in an interview with GBC’s Bubu Klinogo, that district assemblies have long lost the focus for which they were created and that there is no reason adding new ones. Dr Sakara said further that his administration will consider reviewing downwards, the number of the assemblies to make for a more effective administration.

In an interview to the media he clarified that creating more district assemblies does not address the problem of decentralisation for development since scarce resources become even smaller, rendering the assemblies ineffective.

He also said that even at the national level the country has not overcome its challenges in terms of weak systems, accountable and transparent governance, coupled with capacity issues, and thus cascading the problems down to more and more districts compounds the country’s problems.

The CPP Presidential Candidate said further that a CPP government under his Leadership will review the position and seek to create less and more effective cluster of districts. This he said will also mean electing DCE’s in line the CPP’s manifesto plans.

Nii Armah Akomfrah CPP’s Director of Communication

***************************************************

Tailor jailed 47 years for hotel robbery
* Source: GNA

Richard Amponsah, a 24-year old tailor, has been jailed 47 years by a circuit court in Kumasi for robbery.

The convict, who together with one other person attacked a hotel at Asokwa in Kumasi and robbed seven visitors lodging there of their cash, digital cameras, laptop computers and other items totaling about GH¢65,000.00, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and robbery.

The accomplice, Godwin Dotse, is on the run.

A Senior State Attorney, Madam Afia Serwaah Asare Botwe, told the court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Amo-Yartey that the victims were in Kumasi for a business trip and decided to lodge at a hotel at Asokwa.

The prosecution said on October 24, 2011, at about 0200 hours, the victims were attacked in their rooms by the convict and his fugitive colleague at gun point.

Madam Asare said the criminals made away with cash, cellular phones, laptop computers, digital cameras and other valuables belonging to the visitors, and inflicted cutlass wounds on those who attempted to resist their action.

She said this was after they had overpowered the security man on duty and tied him with a rope.

Madam Asare said a report was made to the police and Amponsah was arrested following a tip off.

She told the court that some of the items and live cartridge, cutter and two huge mallet hammers were retrieved from Amponsah’s room during a search.

Madam Asare told the court that the convict in a caution statement, denied taking part in the robbery and said Dotse and another man, whose identity he claimed he did not know, as those who committed the crime.

The prosecution said Amponsah claimed that Dotse and the man came to share the booty in his room and he (Amponsah) was rewarded GH¢1,500.00 and the other items.

***************************************************

Assist us with information on crime - DCOP Ampah-Bennin
* Source: GNA

The Police Administration has appealed to the public to continue to assist them in their fight against crime by volunteering information that could lead to the arrest criminals.

The Director of Service of the Police Administration, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr. David Nenyi Ampah-Bennin made the appeal at the passing out parade of 179 police recruits at the Central Regional Police Training School at Winneba.

The recruits were taken through a six-month intensive training in criminal law, criminal procedure, law of evidence, criminal investigation, practical police duties and basic officer skills.

The rest were professional ethics, human right, community policing, map reading and weapon handling.

DCOP Ampah-Bennin, who was the reviewing officer, said the service needs the support of the public to deal with criminals who are currently operating under sophisticating methods.

He also urged the public to expose police officers who compromise their positions and act unprofessionally and indulged in corrupt practices.

DCOP Ampah-Bennin said the “Police Administration encourages members of the public with complaints against police officers to lodge such complaints at the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Unit in Accra.

He said for the vision of the service to be realized, there was the need for police/public cooperation in crime prevention.

DCOP Ampah-Bennin cautioned the police personnel that the Police Administration will not hesitate to deal drastically with anyone whose conduct and general performance leaves much to be desired.

He also urged the personnel to discharge their duties in accordance with the rules and regulations of the police service to combat crime and other anti-social activities.

He assured them that any personnel who distinguish himself or herself with exceptional performance in all their endeavors would be recognised and rewarded.

General Recruit Samuel Odame Akrofi, from Suhum in the Eastern Region was adjudged the overall best recruit.

***************************************************

Martin Amidu issues disclaimer over controversial galloper vehicles
* Source: JoyOnline

Former Attorney General Martin Amidu has issued a disclaimer to a purported withdrawal from the courts the controversial judgement debt scandal on galloper vehicles.... > Read the full diclaimer (new window) <

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