Delta 8 Could Be Re-Arrested – Emile Short

 Emile Short

The eight Delta Force members who were freed could be re-arrested if there is enough evidence to establish their guilty, a former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Justice Emile Short has said.

“If there is due evidence to link them with the offence, they can be re-arrested because they have only been discharged, they were not convicted…” Mr. Emile Short said.

The 8 were freed on grounds of lack of evidence after they raided a competent court of jurisdiction, leading to the escape of 12 of their suspects in court custody.

Many including the Minority have since criticized the move, demanding the rearrest of the eight.

But Mr. Short, on Eyewitness News, explained that the eight can only be re-arrested if there is “enough evidence” linking them to the case.

“If the eight Delta Force members were discharged for a lack of evidence, there’s no point re-arresting them,” Mr. Emile Short insisted.

He was also dismayed at the manner in which the case had been turned into a political one, saying “some people want to make this a political issue but it’s a legal issue.”

He further watered down suggestions that the Principal Attorney did not have the powers to deliver judgement on this case, clarifying that the latter could also instruct the Police to discontinue proceedings on a case, depending on the circumstances.

“Due process of law requires that if a docket is referred to the State Attorney and the State Attorneys look at the document and the evidence and find out that there is no evidence or whatsoever to support the charges brought against them, then the principal state attorney is entitled to instruct the Police to discontinue the proceedings and in a case like this we have had reference even to the Attorney General because the Attorney General had signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

It is not all cases that the principal state attorney has to refer matters to the Attorney General because the Attorney General cannot supervise all cases in the region. “

The eight were standing trial for allegedly storming the court premises earlier this year to free 13 of their members who were charged with conspiracy to assault for vandalizing property at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council and assaulting the Regional Security Coordinator.

NADMO Boss Has Five (5) Deputies – Abu Ramadan

Abu Ramadan

The current Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh has five deputies.

They include, Deputy-General in charge of Operations, Deputy in charge of Finance and Administration, Deputy Technical, Deputy Monitoring, Evaluation and Transport and a Deputy in charge of Protocol and Relief and Reconstruction.

This was revealed by one of his deputies, Abu Ramadan who crossed carpet from the People’s National Convention (PNC) to the New Patriotic Party during the run-up to the 2016 general elections. Mr. Ramadan is currently the Deputy-General of NADMO in charge of Operations.

Speaking on Citi FM Friday, Abu Ramadan rejected claims that the five deputies will put pressure on the public purse.

“The five deputies won’t make a difference neither will it change anything,” he argued. This comes on the back of a wave of bashing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has received for appointing a total of 110 Ministers and their deputies.

Many Ghanaians have complained that the supposed elephant sized Akufo-Addo’s government will over burden the national purse but government officials have refuted such claims saying it is in the interest of the country.

Mr. Ramadan also said he has not received an official vehicle adding that he uses his personal car. “We don’t have official cars. I don’t have an official driver, I pay my own driver,” Abu Ramadan explained but affirmed that “I have an office [at NADMO].”

He also argued the need for the many deputy roles saying they play diverse roles at NADMO.

“NADMO as we speak today, our staff is a little under 7,000. The job of NADMO is so enormous that it can’t be put in the hands of a single person. Under NADMO alone we have more than 23 different units that work under NADMO. Anything you think of so long as it’s disaster we have a unit in NADMO that takes care of it.”

Speed Up Processes Of Integration — Prez Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has underscored the need for members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to speed up the process of the integration of the sub-region.

That, he explained, would offer “immense opportunities to bring prosperity to our region with hard work, enterprise and creativity.”

With the population of the sub-region expected to hit 500 million in 20 years from its current population of 350 million, President Akufo-Addo said the integration of the ECOWAS was now more imperative.

He was speaking at a state dinner organised in his honour by the Guinean President, Professor Alpha Conde in Conakry last Thursday as part of his three-day tour of that country.

The President is in Guinea as part of his second leg of his three-nation West African tour to build on existing relations and explore further areas of cooperation between Ghana and other West African countries.

Peace and stability

President Nana Akufo-Addo said there was the need for the ambitious programme of economic transformation and integration of the ECOWAS countries to be hinged on the peace and stability in the sub-region.

“I am thus relieved, and I am sure I speak for all of us here, that the disturbing events of the last few days in our common neighbouring state of Cote d’Ivoire have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion, and that good sense has prevailed and enabled the crisis to abate peacefully,” he said.

Raw materials

The President called on West African countries to change the focus of their economies from the production and export of raw materials to adding value to the raw materials and industrialisation.

He said there was no future for the sub-region in the short, medium or long term, if its economic structures were dependent on the production and export of raw materials

“We must add value to these resources, we must industrialise and we must enhance agricultural productivity, if West Africa is to ensure the progress and prosperity of its peoples,” he stated.

Ghana-Guinea

President  Nana Akufo-Addo expressed his delight at the reactivation of the Permanent Joint Commission on Co-operation  between Ghana and Guinea.

“Cooperation in the development of our agriculture, education, science and technology, infrastructure, health, energy and culture, and the coordination of the exploitation of our mutual natural resources, such as bauxite, iron ore, gold and petroleum, would be of immense benefit to our two countries,” he added.

He proposed that the two countries hold the next session of the joint commission in Accra before the end of the year, adding “we must intensify the links between Ghanaian and Guinean enterprises, and, thereby, also hasten the process of regional integration.”

Touching on the long-standing bilateral relations that existed between Ghana and Guinea, President Akufo-Addo said he was hopeful that “our two peoples will continue to march side by side in solidarity in the search for progress and dignity for the African peoples.”

President Akufo-Addo applauded President Conde for the ongoing efforts to entrench democracy and the rule of law in Guinea to maintain unity and integrity in that country devoid of narrow partisan and ethnic considerations.

“It is a historic task, but one in which your lifelong struggle and sacrifices for Guinean democracy have prepared you adequately to undertake. We wish you well and Godspeed,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo was also thankful for the presence of his Guinean counterpart at his inauguration on January 7, 2017, and also for the presence of the Guinean Prime Minister, M. Mamady Youla, at Ghana’s 60th independence anniversary celebrations on March 6, 2017.

Where Is The Competence NPP Promised Ghanaians? – Fmr Deputy Minister Asks

A former Deputy Northern Regional Minister Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini has observed that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is doing the reverse of what it promised Ghanaians in the run-up to the 2016 general elections.

He said the party and its leaders criticized the former administration of being incompetent and also led by incompetent leadership, but four months after taking the reins of power it appears to be at sea and not knowing exactly how to manage the country’s economy from its diagnosis.

The Sagnarigu constituency lawmaker wondered where the competence it claimed it has, had gone in the wake members of its vigilante groups flouting the country’s laws with impunity and being aided by the party to get away with it.

Commenting on the acquittal of 8 members of Pro-NPP vigilante group, Delta Force, he questioned the competence of the current regime if it could allow persons who physically attacked a state institution in a Hollywood style to walk free.

Speaking on Pan Africa TV on Friday, Alhaji A. B.A expressed shock on how the state through the Attorney General showed “crass incompetence” in the case by allowing the suspects off the hook in the name of lack of evidence.

While standing by the calls on the minority side of parliament for the re-arrest of all 8 suspects to face prosecution, he concurred with proposition by former Deputy Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Joseph Yamin that the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Gloria Akuffo be fired for doing a poor job.

“She has failed in her position as the legal advisor of government and must be shown the exit.

It would be recalled that Eight (8) members of the Pro-New Patriotic Party (NPP) vigilante group, Delta Force who were standing trial for aiding 13 of their colleagues to abscond were on Wednesday May 17, 2017 freed by a Kumasi Circuit Court for want of evidence.

When the case was called, the Principal State Attorney Marie Louise-Simmons told the Court that the state was no longer interested in pursuing the case indicating it was as a result of the fact that “the evidence available makes it extremely impossible to successfully prosecute any of the suspects.”

Adding, “two police officers who were at the court when the accused persons committed the offence could not identify the suspects”.

GH¢100K Bribe Claim: NPP Chairman Drags 5 To Court

The Central Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Robert Kutin has initiated a legal action against Mathew Botchwey, affectionately known in Cape Coast as Kalifonia, the region’s Deputy Organizer of the party, Atinka FM and two other persons from KokrokoFM in Cape Coast.

In the writ of summons issued from Accra High Court date 19 May, 2017, it stated that ‘an action having been commenced against Mathew Botchwey and four others by the issue of this writ by Robert Kutin Jnr.

You are hereby commanded that within eight days after service of this Writ on you inclusive of the day of service you do cause an appearance to be entered for you, the summons said’

Mathew Botchwey and the other defendants are expected within eight days to enter their defense.

Robert Kutin was accused of extorting money from Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Central Region and impeding the chances of others from becoming ministers.

Botchwey alleged in an interview with KokrokoFM that Kutin had taken Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis from a son of ‘Mercy Cream’.

Botchwey claimed the ‘modus operandi’ of his Chairman (Kutin) and trend is assuming a new dimension in the region where money has become the prerequisite requirement of one becoming a district Chief Executive. He said, Kutin since assuming office in 2013 become autocratic abhors dissenting views.

He attributed the rejection of both Assin South and Abura -Asebu Kwamankese District Chief Executive nominees to Chairman Robert Kutin.

According to him, Kutin managed to replace some of the nominees a day before the lists was published.

‘Upon all the opportunities given to Kutin by the President, he still impedes others progress. ‘He (Kutin) is the Chairman of Maritime, while his uncle is chairing the Getfund Board, but he did all he could to block the appointment of Chairman KK twice from serving as deputy minister in the region’-he alleged

‘Others are afraid of Kutin, but I Mathew have resolved to face Kutin everywhere to ensure that I rescue the party from him’. ‘Kutin is hurting the image of the party in that. I cannot allow him to continue that trend for the party to suffer in subsequent elections,’ California told a local radio station.

Meanwhile, Abdul Tarig Bonsu, the DCE aspirant reported to have parted with the bribe has rubbished allegations.

“If I have that GHC100,000 on me now, I would rather invest it in my business. It’s true that I presented my name for such position but was Okay when my name did not appear in the final list. I feel we’ll all have to support the party to propagate the good works by this government. Mr. Kutin has a reputation and I think it’s unfair to dent his image in such manner.”

Leaving PNC Was The Right Decision – Abu Ramadan

Former National Youth Organiser of the People’s National Convention, Abu Ramadan now member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has defended his reasons for leaving his former party.

He argued that it was a right decision because the PNC’s electoral fortunes had dwindled drastically over the years.

Mr. Ramadan announced his defection to the NPP prior to the December 7, 2016 general elections.

He has currently been honoured with a deputy position at the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in the Akufo-Addo government.

Speaking on the Point Blank segment on Eyewitness News on Friday, Mr. Ramadan insisted that he did not make a wrong decision.

“The problem was that at that time the PNC had lost traction on the ground. Until today the fortunes of the party keep dwindling by the day and it looks as if any other day I look at the party again and I always tell myself I made the right decision, leaving at that time moving to a more formidable party to enhance by political career,” he added.

“I’m not a medical doctor or a lawyer; I’m a politician by career so I had to select where best would shoot my career as a politician. And I felt my home was with the NPP and Nana Addo being my biggest inspiration to want to ever be in NPP and he being the frontrunner to be president, I think I didn’t make a wrong decision.”

When asked why he did not join the then governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) instead of the NPP which was in opposition at the time, Mr. Ramadan explained that his ideals and values “are at variance with the NDC” hence his choice.

“The NPP presented a more people friendly policies…and at that time the NDC was so unattractive and still unattractive to up thinking and moral upright people because of the issue of corruption, they way and manner the government was run, the way and manner they didn’t care about the plight of the people moved me closer to the NPP than it should have taken to the NDC,” he added.

Ofori-Atta Wants More Time To Respond To CHRAJ On $2.25bn Bond

The Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, has requested for an extra 15 working days to respond to the queries of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in the matter of whether or not he contravened provisions of the 1992 Constitution in the public offer of the $2.25 billion bond in 10 days.

The Chief Director of the ministry, Mr Patrick Nomo, in a letter dated May 11, 2017 requested for the extension of time.

The extension, according to the letter, was necessary to properly respond to the issues raised by CHRAJ in their letter to the Minister on May 5, 2017.

The minister said in order to properly respond to the issues with supporting documentation, an extension of time by an additional 15 business days was required.

He said that would enable him properly coordinate with all relevant parties, including external transaction advisors, for the information to be provided.

CHRAJ’s letter

CHRAJ on May 5, 2017 requested the minister to comment on whether or not he had contravened provisions of the 1992 Constitution in the public offer of the $2.25 billion bond in 10 days.

The letter of CHRAJ titled, “Allegation of contravention or non-compliance with Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution by Mr Ken Ofori-Atta - A public officer: Request for comments,” was delivered through the secretariat of the Minister, sources confirmed to Graphic Online.

The request for the Minister’s comments was based on a petition by a citizen, Mr Yaw Brogya Genfi.

In his complaint to CHRAJ titled, “Petition to investigate conflict of interest in the recent US$2.25 billion bond issued by the government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance,” he alleged that the minister had placed himself in a conflict of interest position, and thus, in breach of constitutional provisions.

When Graphic Online contacted, the Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mr Joseph Whittal confirmed that the minister had asked for more time to respond.

“We are amenable to the request,” was all he would say.

Petition

Mr Genfi alleged in his petition that, “a number of issues of conflict of interest and the lack of transparency have emerged from the bond issuance.”

For instance, the bonds were not on the issuance calendar; the initial pricing guidelines of the bond were issued after working hours on March 30, 2017, while the public announcement of the transaction was sent by email at 9:09 am on March 31, 2017.

That meant that the transaction was opened before the announcement was made to the public.

Mr Genfi further alleged that April 3, 2017 was the Settlement Date and not the closing date of the bond.

He said one single investor, Franklin Templeton Investment Limited, an American global investment management organisation founded in 1947 purchased 95 per cent of the bond issued.

Mr Genfi was of the view that “a relational interest existed between the Minister of Finance and Mr Trevor G Trefgarne, who in a semi-annual report of the Franklin Templeton Investment Limited of December 31, 2016 is named as one of the Board of Directors of the organisation, while also being the Chairman of the Enterprise Group Limited.

“Enterprise Group Limited is a company partially owned by Data Bank Limited, a company in which the Finance Minister is known to have significant interest,” Mr Genfi said.

He also complained that Mr Tevor G Trefgarne and the Minister of Finance had also been described as “great friends.”

Directives

CHRAJ after its preliminary assessment of the petition asked the Minister of Finance for his comments on the allegations made against him.

It had asked the Minister in his responses, to as much as possible, support with any documents or information, “within 10 days and, if you admit to the allegations, to state so expressly.”

“The Commission would like to inform you that if you deny the allegations made against you, the Commission would cause the matter to be investigated,” the letter added.