Assassin Bugs spreading infection being called "New AIDS"

Insect infection being called the “New HIV/AIDS” spreads across America and doctors have no cure. It sounds like the AIDS virus and just mutating into something deadlier and more dangerous. It is a highly stigmatizing disease as it is normally found among migrants who may not get medical treatment, making Chagas more likely to spread.

Triatominae (subfamily: Reduviidae) aka conenose bugs, kissing bugs, assassin bugs or triatomines.

The disease can be transmitted from mother to child or by blood transfusion. About a quarter of its victims eventually will develop enlarged hearts or intestines, which can fail or burst, causing sudden death. Treatment involves harsh drugs taken for up to three months and works only if the disease is caught early.

Chagas, a tropical disease spread by insects, is causing some fresh concern following an editorial—published earlier this week in a medical journal—that called it "the new AIDS of the Americas."

More than 8 million people have been infected by Chagas, most of them in Latin and Central America. But more than 300,000 live in the United States.

The editorial, published by the Public Library of Science's Neglected Tropical Diseases, said the spread of the disease is reminiscent of the early years of HIV.

"There are a number of striking similarities between people living with Chagas disease and people living with HIV/AIDS," the authors wrote, "particularly for those with HIV/AIDS who contracted the disease in the first two decades of the HIV/AIDS epidemic."

Both diseases disproportionately affect people living in poverty, both are chronic conditions requiring prolonged, expensive treatment, and as with patients in the first two decades of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, "most patients with Chagas disease do not have access to health care facilities." Unlike HIV, Chagas is not a sexually-transmitted disease: it's "caused by parasites transmitted to humans by blood-sucking insects."

Kissing bugs can be the source of nocturnal dermatologic wounds in the mid to southern latitudes in the United States.

"It likes to bite you on the face," CNN reported. "It's called the kissing bug. When it ingests your blood, it excretes the parasite at the same time. When you wake up and scratch the itch, the parasite moves into the wound and you're infected."

Chagas, also known as American trypanosomiasis, kills about 20,000 people per year, the journal said.

And while just 20 percent of those infected with Chagas develop a life-threatening form of the disease, The Times reports that Chagas is "hard or impossible to cure."

"The problem is once the heart symptoms start, which is the most dreaded complication—the Chagas cardiomyopathy—the medicines no longer work very well," Dr. Peter Hotez, a researcher at Baylor College of Medicine and one of the editorial's authors, told CNN. "Problem No. 2: the medicines are extremely toxic."

And 11 percent of pregnant women in Latin America are infected with Chagas, the journal said.

Computarized keyboard slippers

In Ghana the name Chale Wote refers to bathroom sandals or slippers. It is so-called as the name borrowed from the Ga language suggests a close friend who goes everywhere with you. It is the most used footwear in the country by people from all walks of life. Lately, Information Technology (IT) has transform the way this product has traditionally been known and the IT department in the country is working on a computerized keyboard slippers aimed at saving time and use of energy.

Current Features are easy to operate as u can just type






 

~ ‘Run’ when u want to move.

~ ‘Esc’ to escape in case of an armed robbery attack on the road.

~ 'Enter' when you visit an office/house and the gateman wouldn’t just let u enter. All u need is to hit the Enter key and you are in the building.

~ 'Delete' in case you are in a heavy traffic, don’t worry, just keep hitting the Delete button and each car before u will give way one after the other.

Ghana Protein facing imminent collapse due to unfair directive

Tony Adu-Nketia

The management of Ghana Protein Limited (GPL) has petitioned the President to intervene to save the company from being closed down due to unfair treatment from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Making the petition at a press conference on behalf of management of GPL in Tema, Mr. Anthony Adu-Nketia, Head of Administration, regretted that regardless of GPL’s petition to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture about the negative effects that the setting up a fish mill plant could have on the operations of GPL, Pioneer Food Cannery (PFC), the company’s main supplier of fish waste, had gone ahead to construct its own plant.

Mr. Adu-Nketia said as a result, PFC had officially informed GPL that with effect from October 31, it would no longer supply GPL with the fish waste which is its raw material.

He said in 1990 some officials from the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) visited Cote d’Ivoire as part of efforts to find a solution to the fish waste problem in the country.

He said having been impressed by the industrial processing of the fish mill, the GIPC officials lured the investors to replicate the project in Ghana.

Mr. Adu-Nketia said having accepted the invitation, the investors in 2000 set up GPL on a 25-acre land they acquired from the Tema Development Corporation (TDC).

He said during the process, both governmental agencies and GPL’s private sector partners, especially PFC assured the company of their willingness to supply raw materials.

Mr. Adu-Nketia regretted that GPL’s 360-ton plant received just about an average of 43 tons per day in 2008, adding that it was reduced to about 30 tons in the subsequent years.

He said surprisingly, the canneries have been generating more fish waste that ended up in the hands of individuals who lacked the capacity to process it properly.

Mr. Adu-Nketia pointed out that GPL was not against competition, rather it believed in best practices as well as a level playing field for all legitimate businesses to thrive.

He called on government to come out with fair and just regulatory measures to assist in its investment drive.

Nails are like 20 mini-mirrors to the state of health

Your fingernails and toenails are like 20 mini-mirrors to the state of your overall health. Changes throughout the body that are otherwise invisible can sometimes be first seen in the nails. Fingernails tend to give more reliable clues than toenails, given the wear and tear of walking, tight shoes, and slower foot circulation over time, which can obscure toenail changes. But check both hands and feet -- the following nail clues explains why.

Clue 1: A black line

Black nail: 34 year old patient

Look for: A black discoloration that's a straight vertical line or streak and grows from the nail bed, usually on a single nail. About 75 percent of cases involve the big toe or the thumb, according to a review in the British Journal of Dermatology. Especially worrisome: a discoloration that's increasing or that's wider at the lower part of the nail than the tip. That tells you that whatever is producing the pigment is producing more of it.

Also beware when the skin below the nail is deeply pigmented as well. 

What it might mean: Melanoma, the deadliest form of cancer. People with darker skin are more vulnerable than Caucasians to subungual melanoma (melanoma of the nail bed), but darker-skinned races also have more dark lines in nails that are benign, according to a 2004 report in American Family Physician.

Next steps: Always have a doctor check out a suspicious black line on the nail quickly because of the high skin cancer risk. A black line on the nail may also be caused by a harmless mole or an injury. A biopsy can confirm melanoma.

Clue 2: Small vertical red lines

Look for: Red (or sometimes brownish red) streaks in the nail. They look like blood or dried blood. These are known as "splinter hemorrhages" because they look like a splinter but are caused by bleeding (heamorrhage) under the fingernail or toenail. They run in the same direction as nail growth.

What it might mean: Heart trouble. The "splinters" are caused by tiny clots that damage the small capillaries beneath the nail. They're associated with an infection of the heart valves known as endocarditis. Don't panic if you see one, though: Sometimes an ordinary injury to the nail can cause a splinter haemorrhage.

Next steps: No treatment is needed for the splinter haemorrhage itself. A doctor can evaluate and treat the underlying cause if it's heart-related.

Clue 3: Wide, "clubbed" nails

Look for: Uniformly widened fingertips or toes -- they appear to bulge out beyond the last knuckle -- where the nails have widened, too, so that they curve down and appear to wrap around the tips of the finger like an upside-down spoon. (Normal nails are narrower than their base fingers.) These extra-wide nails are called "clubbed" nails.
What it might mean: Clubbed nails are a common sign of pulmonary (lung) disease. Although the nails' odd shape develops over many months to years, people are often unaware of the underlying condition, which can include lung cancer.
Next steps: If you haven't had a physical exam lately, consider one, especially if you have other symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

Clue 4: Spoon-like depressions

Look for: Nail beds that have little dips in them, an effect called koilonychia, or "spooning." If you put your hand flat on the table, the spooned nails look like they could each hold liquid. The nails will also be unusually pale or stay whitish for more than a minute after you press gently on one. (Normally it would turn white for a second or two before returning to its original pinkish colour.) The moons at the base of the nails may look particularly white.
What it might mean: Iron-deficiency anaemia. Spooning can also be seen in the nails of people with heamochromatosis, or "iron overload disease," a condition usually caused by a defective gene that leads to too much iron being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Other symptoms for both conditions can include fatigue and lack of energy, or they may be symptomless.
Next steps: A complete blood count can diagnose anaemia, and a physical exam might pinpoint the cause of iron problems. Iron supplements and dietary changes are often prescribed as first-line treatments for anaemia.

Ex-Liberia President condemned to half century in jail for war crimes

Liberia’s ex-President Charles Taylor has been sentenced to 50 years in jail by a UN-backed war crimes court.

Last month Taylor was found guilty of aiding and abetting rebels in Sierra Leone during the 1991-2002 civil war.

The prosecution at the Special Court for Sierra Leone wanted an 80-year prison term, which the defence said was excessive.

Taylor, 64, insists he is innocent and is likely to appeal the sentence, correspondents say. The appeal process could last up to six months.

During the sentencing, Judge Richard Lussick said the crimes in Sierra Leone were the most heinous in human history.

In its landmark ruling in April, the Special Court for Sierra Leone found Taylor guilty on 11 counts, relating to atrocities that included rape and murder.

He became the first former head of state to be convicted of war crimes by an international court since the Nuremburg trials of Nazis after World War II.

In response, Taylor accused the prosecution of paying and threatening witnesses in his war crimes trial.

He also told the judges to consider his age when making their decision, saying he was “no threat to society”.

And he condemned atrocities across the world, and had the “deepest sympathy” for victims in Sierra Leone, but stopped short of expressing remorse or apologising for his part in the conflict.

The prosecutors have said that Taylor’s ill health and age, or the fact that he has a family, should have no impact on the sentence.

In written filings, prosecutors said a sentence of 80 years would reflect the severity of the crimes and the central role that Taylor had in facilitating them.

“The purposely cruel and savage crimes committed included public executions and amputations of civilians, the display of decapitated heads at checkpoints… public rapes of women and girls, and people burned alive in their homes,” wrote prosecutor Brenda Hollis.

But defence lawyers said the recommended sentence was “manifestly disproportionate and excessive”, and that Taylor had only been found guilty of an indirect role – aiding the rebels, rather than leading them.

They said their client should not be made to shoulder the blame alone for what happened in Sierra Leone’s war.

The court should not support “attempts by the prosecution to provide the Sierra Leoneans with this external bogey man upon whom can be heaped the collective guilt of a nation for its predominantly self-inflicted wounds”, his lawyers wrote.

During the Sierra Leone civil war, Taylor supported Revolutionary United Front rebels who killed tens of thousands of people.

The war crimes included murder, rape, the use of child soldiers and the amputation of limbs.

Taylor was accused of channelling weapons to them in return for “blood diamonds” but the judge said the prosecution had failed to prove their case that he had been one of the RUF leaders.

The case is being heard in The Hague for fear that a trial in Sierra Leone could destabilise the region. The Dutch government only agreed if Taylor would serve any sentence in another country, so he will serve any prison term in the UK.

Former Justice Minister challenges Mills to make public his letter implicating 10 NDC officials in Woyome scandal

WHY MARTIN A. B. K. AMIDU IS NOT USING GOVERNMENT OR PARTY CHANNELS FOR HIS ADVOCACY FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY: BY MARTIN A. B.K. AMIDU

The purpose of this statement following immediately after my opinion of 28th May 2012 stating that the President’s executive judgment in the matter of the Supreme Court decision in the case of Okudzeto Ablakwa and Omane-Boamah against the Attorney-General (Jake Obetsebi-Lampety voluntarily applied and was joined as additional Defendant) is to answer the accusations and spins on why I am not directing my criticisms in-house to the Government or the NDC. The Government spin since I left office has been that I am a disgruntled smokescreen being used by the NPP against the Government.

I assumed that the confidential and trusting relationship that existed between the PNDC, NDC1, and NDC2 and its appointees in open and frank criticism of policies and conduct of in-group members still existed in the President Mills Government. Several happenings in the present Government made me to realize that honest and sincere criticisms have the appearance of being accepted only for schemes and plans to destroy the integrity of the critic to be hatched. (I will skip giving the several examples). By my nature I just cannot refuse to give my honest and sincere opinion on a matter should anyone ask for it. It was in these circumstances that the President demanded a written report from me as the Attorney-General on the afternoon of 23rd December 2011 after his press interview with Radio Gold. The Deputy Attorney-General had written that the Government had no defence to the action that was why it settled. He is still at post. I had discovered a letter dated 9th December 2010 which gave the appearance that the Attorney-General’s office ordered the payment against the President’s instructions.

After studying the available file on the Woyome case I discover to my disappointment that there was no contract and there could not have been a contract upon which to ground a cause of action and locus standi in the plaintiff against the Government. Secondly at the time the plaintiff filed his writ there was no written and signed settlement agreement between the plaintiff and the Attorney-General let alone for it to be filed in Court. Yet the plaintiff’s claim was upon letters from the Attorney-General to the Minister of Finance to pay the plaintiff. Consequently, in a preliminary ten page report to the President in my letter D45/SF.173/10 dated 6th January 2012 I stated professionally what I had discovered, including the names of each person I suspected to be implicated in the case. The letter was copied to the Chief of Staff and the National Security Co-ordinator. The NDC press, however, continued to attack my integrity to the enjoyment of the Government and Party. I, therefore, decided to tell the public in my press release of 11th January 2012 of my perspective so that I am not hanged without being heard.

In a reliable and trusting association or group where the ideals and purposes of the association or group are respected and obeyed no group member ought to use any outside channels to address or correct in-group mistakes or wrongs that are likely to affect the objects of the group. But where the leadership in the association instead of taking criticisms in private in good faith, spins the criticism to within both the group members and to the public to discredit and defame the genuine critics, conflict studies and resolution theory and practice grants a right to put the association back to its original ideals through sub-group and public tacit bargaining. If you were just a pretender who joined the group for other motives than its objects, then you just leave the group. If you are really a committed member of the group’s objects you do not leave it to those who are breaking the ground rules of trust in accepting genuine criticisms but use every means to return the group to its original objects to achieve the cherished principles and ideals.

On the 12 January 2012 the President invited me to his office for a meeting on my press release in the presence of others. We agreed that one other and myself were to workout a solution. Then from no where the President calls me at 7.05 pm the same day to meet him in his office with Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu the next morning. I attended the meeting with Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu at which there were others present. It was in the course of the meeting of 13th January 2012 that I told the President (citing examples) that he had been interfering in the execution of my functions as the Attorney-General under Article 88 of the Constitution and, therefore, I had resigned from his Government forthwith. I asked for permission to leave to submit my formal resignation letter to him within one hour. I was told to wait because the meeting had not concluded.

The meeting was later adjourned to 3 pm to enable Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Capt (Rtd.) Kojo Tsikata and other elders of the Government and Party to join the meeting. Initially I said that after my oral resignation, I did not think I could be obliged to attend the 3pm meeting and that I would rather I sent in my resignation letter. I changed my mind from not attending the 3 pm meeting upon persuasions from two of the persons present both of whom I considered very good friends, (one of then in addition to his age I had great respect for when we worked together when I was a PNDC Deputy Regional Secretary). When I returned at 3pm I waited until about 3.30 pm when a very respectable former Member of the PNDC and mentor came from the President’s office and took me to the conference room for a discussion and persuaded me to go to the Court and retrieve the GH¢ 51million for the Republic of Ghana. This was an old man who has mentored almost every former PNDC appointee and how could I have refused his plea to rescind my decision not to work for the President again, particularly when he had authorized me in very strong and assuring words to go and collect the money for theRepublicofGhana. He asked me to go straight to my office to begin working on the case and that I did not need to go back to the Presidency as he would handle that.

It was upon this understanding that I got my staff and myself to start working from that evening of 13th January 2012 through Saturday and Sunday to have the application for amendment filed on the morning of 16th January 2012 for me to attend the Court that morning. On the night of 15th May 2012 my old mentor confirmed that the President had agreed to my going to the Court the next day in person to argue the case. I was in Court in person and the Statement of Case together with the accompanying application and my single minded determination to retrieve the Gargantuan GH¢51 million for the Republic of Ghana is now known to all. The opponents of the case within Government panic at my efforts and put pressure on the President. I never saw the President again to date.
So on the morning of 19th January 2012, three days after I went to start the process of retrieving the money, the Daily Graphic, a Government mouth piece, falsely published that I had gone on my knees at the meeting of 13th January 2012 to plead not to be dismissed. It was also falsely alleged in other NDC newspapers that I failed to mention the names of Ministers I had made allegations against in my press statement. Mahama Ayariga and Felix Owusu Kwakye and others were on air the same day stating that I either had to mention those involved or would be dismissed.

How could one blame them when they were not privy to my official interim report to the President dated 6th January 2012 in which each person I suspected to be implicated was named. It would have been unethical for me to have put names in my press statement when the President had also announced to the whole world that the Economic and Organized Crime Office was to submit a report to him on the same matter. They had been fed false and “spin” information from the Castle.

At 12.55pm on the same day 19th January 2012 the President sent a special bearer to me in my office with a letter in which he stated that he had relieved me of my post as Attorney-General with immediate effect. I had been in Government for over 21 years and knew that in spite of the persuasion by my old PNDC mentor and another elder PNDC colleague in Government that I not resign, the Government could be buying time to have the last say on its own terms. Northern Ghanaian culture, however, insists on respect for well behaved elders so I had no option than to obey the two elders and wait beyond 13th January 2012.

But in accordance with northern Ghanaian tradition and custom I briefed Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama, as the most Senior Northerner in the Government on the morning of 14th January 2012 on what transpired at the meeting of 13th January 2012 and the persuasions from his colleague elders and my acceptance to hold on. I also told him of my suspicions of what was in stock for the north, some of which have come to pass.

The hard working professional staff of the Attorney-General’s office that had very close working relationship with me will confirm that we reckoned that the Government was buying time to discredit me. It, therefore, came as no surprise to me when the Chief of Staff who was part of the meeting of 13th January 2012 hypocritically issued a press statement to the effect that I had misconducted myself as a Minister.

I accordingly sent him a reply on 20th January 2012 and dared him to publish my reply to him and my letter of 6th January 2012 to the public. He has cowardly refused to make any of them public. In view of the deceit and betrayal I have gone through in the hands of the President, how does any one expect me to trust that the Government would not again put further spins on any advice I give it or any information I pass over to it on probity, accountability and transparency discretely. That is why I have chosen to exercise my constitutional right to freedom of speech and also to defend the Constitution in my advocacy for integrity in Government openly and in the public domain.

I joined the PNDC Government, became a foundation member of the NDC and later reluctantly became the Vice Presidential candidate of the NDC in 2000. I challenge anybody to show me one public criticism, orally or in writing, which I made in public to the media about the PNDC or the NDC under President Rawlings. But I criticized the PNDC and NDC Governments of President Rawlings very vigorous within by written memoranda and letters. Indeed I was transferred from Bolgatanga to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in January 1986 to prevent me from carrying out my written intention of resigning on account of my objection to happenings in the region. Evidence abounds of my other written advocacy for probity, accountability and transparency through in-house channels for all the period I served under former Chairman and later President Rawlings.

I addressed one particular letter to His Excellency, Flt. Lt Jerry John Rawlings, President of the Republicof Ghana, and copied it only to the late Rt. Rev. Bishop Lucas Abadamloora, Bishop of Navrongo/Bolgatanga Dioceses on 3rd June 1999 on the subject matter: “THE STATE OF THE JUDICIARY, JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS AND RELATED NATIONAL ISSUES”. I delivered the Bishop’s copy to him personally at his residence in Bolgatanga on 4th June 1999 and prepared to be sacked. Former President Rawlings has to date never spoken to me about the letter even though he could not have been pleased with it. I send herewith very reluctantly as an attachment my letter of 3rd June 1999 because no living person is adversely mentioned in it and it is in the public interest that the public knows my record in defending the independence of the judiciary and fighting for probity.

The Great Leader that former President Rawlings was, he told me once in the presence of Mr. Ebo Tawiah and Nana Ato Dadzie in the latter’s office why he refused to terminate my appointment when a PNDC Member who is now helping President Mills called for my dismissal after he had addressed a letter to me as Martin Amidu, Attorney-General’s Department, Accra without any salutation indicating that he was writing to me as a subordinate officer. In my reply to the PNDC Member I stated that because he had written the letter to me in my personal capacity as a citizen of Ghana, I was also replying to him in his personal capacity as a citizen. I then wrote that as a citizen of Ghanahe had no single right above my equal citizenship of Ghanato write to me in the manner he did. President Rawlings explained that when a subordinate person is bold enough to write the truth as I did to the PNDC Member a good manager ought to know that penalizing the subordinate officer would affect loyalty to the Government. I suspect that those same leadership qualities and understanding of human beings made him to act upon the contents of my letter of 3rd June 1999 without ever talking to me about it to date.

It was only at the Catholic Cathedral in about 2002 or so but on the day of Emefa Kpega’s wedding that a former President of the Ghana Bar Association brought to my notice that the late Chief Justice Abban had informed and shown him the contents of my said letter of 3rd June 1999 on the judiciary. I was surprised because in spite of my criticism of the late Chief Justice Abban in the letter he remained on very friendly terms with me until his death. I had the privilege even after leaving office in January 2001 to visit him with the late Alhaji Yakubu Dramani a week before his unfortunate demise. I surely was at his funeral; and I cherish his magnanimity and tolerance of the strong views I expressed about him.

There are several excellent reasons why I count myself very lucky to have left President Mills’ Government. When one reads my letter No. XE337/09/8 dated 27th July 2011 for instance one cannot fail to see that it was a letter of resignation (I have deliberately left out the subject matter). I had stated my resignation in the last sentence but I then realized that without giving three months notice I would have to pay my three months salary in lieu, so I cancelled the sentence. I do not therefore have any reasons for bitterness against the Government for exiting it because my letter of 27th July 2011 contained ample notice that I was in the wrong place. The betrayal of trust in not telling the public the truth surrounding my alleged exit is what has made it difficult for me to call the Government’s attention to my views. The Executive of NDC has not to date even found out from me what happened between the Government and myself leading to my exit so I cannot volunteer information to it.

The President has been my long standing personal friend before he joined the public service at the Internal Revenue Service. He knows what I told him we should do to win his second term hands down. I am a foundation member of the NDC who sees conflict as offering an opportunity for dialogue, peace-making and reconciliation within an atmosphere that restores trust and confidence. We appear to be engaged in a dialogue of the deaf otherwise the Government and the NDC ought to have known by now that all those foundation members criticizing the Government are indeed genuinely calling for reforms in the Government to enable it win elections hands down. I am not a traitor.

Ghana is a shining example of political stability

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Ms Ruby Sandhu-Rojon, on Tuesday May 29, 2012 described Ghana as a shining example in the West African Sub-Region, and a global example of a country which firmly upheld the principle that Peace, Security and Development must go together.

"Ghana's democratic history of peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections have paved the way for a bright future of sustainable human development, which could benefit all Ghanaians."

Ms Sandhu-Rojon, made the observation in a message read on behalf of Mr. Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary-General, at a flag raising and wreath laying ceremony at the forecourt of the State House in Accra, to commemorate International Day of United Nations (UN) Peace-Keepers.

The theme of this year's commemoration in Ghana is, "Peace Keeping as a Global Partnership: The Role of Ghana."

"Examples in other countries abound, where the loss of peace has destroyed years of hard-won development gains, " she said, adding that Ghana's tradition in preserving the "Inextricable link between peace and development" had to be treasured.

"Let us call on all stakeholders to do their utmost to keep the peace in the up-coming elections."

Ms Sandhu-Rojon said "Today, we commend Ghana for her remarkable commitment to international peace and stability, by supporting other UN Member States that are submerged in conflict."

The UN Resident Coordinator said Ghana had recently been ranked among the 10 largest contributors of personnel towards UN peacekeeping operations.

"Over the last 60 years, Ghanaian peacekeepers have participated in more than 30 UN peace-keeping missions in Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans and Asia," she said.

Ms Sandhu-Rojon said Ghanaian peacekeepers had supported the lives of millions of people in post-conflict reconstruction, disarmament of combatants and restoring public order.

"I salute these brave men and women who have risked their lives in service to those most in need around the world," she said.

Credit: GNA

GETFund risks imminent collapse as NDC diverts 50% of Fund monies

Several leaked documents authored by the administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), Mr. Sam Garba, reveals that the NDC government was diverting nearly half of the Fund's monies since it assumed office in 2009. The GETFund boss says the rules which underpinned the establishment of GETFund are not being followed and warns that unless the situation is arrested, the GETFund is on the verge of collapse. 

 In a 17 January 2012 leaked letter to the Ministry of Finance, the GETFund boss raised issues about monies which ought to be paid into the GETFund account but which were not. According to him, from 2009-2011, only ¢471 million have been paid into the account stating a total of 414 million more which ought to be paid into the account has not been done. Mr. Garba disclosed in portions of the letter that “only 50 per cent of the accruals have been paid into the account of the GETFund at the end of each fiscal year."

Mr. Sam Garba in a letter dated 24th February 2012 stated categorically that the fund will not release scholarships for selected students, defying the orders of the education ministry.

Mr Garba further said the Fund has issued promissory notes to the tune of ¢94 million for payment to contractors who were hired under the schools under trees project but has not been able to redeem the promise because only half of the money they are entitled to are paid into their account.

The result he said has been the persistent threat of demonstration by the contractors.

Mr Garba said because of the paucity of funds they are unable to pay for the scholarships of some selected students by the Education Ministry.

But the Education Minister has dismissed the claims by the GETFund boss.

Lee Ocran said Mr Garba failed to alert the supervisory ministry which is the Education Ministry of the challenges it is facing before proceeding to the Finance Ministry.

He said the GETFund boss has no authority to question a directive by cabinet for monies to be paid into the scholarship scheme to facilitate the scholarship education of some students.

The scandal is still unfolding....keep your fingers crossed, yours truly will update you as and when news become available. 

IMF confirms ailing economy as Cedi depreciation escalates woes

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission has completed a working visit to Ghana covering the period May 16-29, 2012, to conduct discussions for the sixth and seventh review under the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility. A statement at the end of consultations expressed concerns about the ailing economy due to the high cost of living and continuous depreciation of the Ghana Cedi against the US dollar. The IMF is now asking government to be swift in arresting the situation. 

The IMF Mission led by Christina Daseking is thus holding high level meeting with President Mills and all the top managers of Ghana’s economy including the Finance Minister and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana. the Mission is also anxious about the economic challenges in Ghana raising the red flag, especially over rising oil imports without corresponding increases in fuel prices domestically. “Price of oil import is risen a lot and the domestic price, however, has not been adjusted,” Daseking pointed out at a meeting with President Mills on Tuesday May 29, 2012. “This is now creating cost of about GhC60 million every month.” She added: “ Certainly, we want more people to support social programmes. The cost of living has increased because of the depreciation. Most people know the subsidies on fuel benefit the higher income groups and we’ll encourage you to take necessary [action]…
“We know you are committed to fiscal discipline and we hope with that we’ll be able to continue our very productive relationship.
“After Ghana’s very successful economic performance in 2011, with growth of 14½ percent and inflation in single digits, risks to macroeconomic stability are rising. Despite buoyant exports, the current account deficit exceeded 9 percent of GDP in 2011 on account of high import growth. A rapid depreciation of the cedi in the first five months of this year has begun to feed into domestic prices, while adding to short-term balance of payments pressures through higher cost of imports. With economic growth fueled by strong domestic demand, policies will need to be tightened to safeguard macroeconomic stability and keep inflation within the target band of 5.7-11.7 percent. This should still allow the economy to expand at a robust pace of more than 8 percent in 2012. The main external risk is that of a deeper global slowdown with its negative impact on economic growth and the balance of payments from weaker commodity prices and foreign inflows.
“Discussions with the Bank of Ghana (BoG) focused on policies to stem the recent decline in the cedi to defend the inflation target. There was broad agreement that a cedi depreciation was consistent with underlying economic factors, such as inflation differentials and a high current account deficit, but that the pace of the depreciation in recent months created challenges for anchoring expectations. Contributing factors included seasonally strong demand for foreign exchange, but also high domestic liquidity. In this environment, the large interventions by the Bank of Ghana in January provided only temporary relief. More recent actions to tighten liquidity and hike domestic interest rates appear to have been more effective in halting the cedi’s slide. The mission encouraged the Bank of Ghana to maintain a tight policy stance to help stabilize the currency and achieve its inflation target, while gradually rebuilding its stock of foreign reserves. It further suggested measures to improve the liquidity and functioning of the foreign exchange market as a way to reduce excessive exchange rate volatility.
“The otherwise strong fiscal performance in 2011, supported by an impressive improvement in revenue collection, met some challenges toward the end of the year and in early 2012. The cash deficit in 2011 of 4.3 percent of non-oil GDP was below the program ceiling by 0.7 percentage points of non-oil GDP. The government also made strong progress in reducing its previous stock of domestic payment arrears by GH¢ 1.5 billion. However, some spending obligations from 2011 were carried over into 2012, and new spending pressures have emerged from the agreed 18 percent public sector wage hike and the rising cost of fuel subsidies.
“Discussions focused on preserving fiscal discipline in the context of elevated macroeconomic risks and new spending demands. The mission encouraged the government to accelerate the ongoing public payroll audit and discontinue payments to those not eligible, as quickly as possible. It further urged an elimination of costly subsidies on fuel and energy consumption, which benefit predominantly the higher income groups. Both measures together could generate monthly savings of about GH¢160 million which are needed to protect more productive expenditure and allow for an expansion of well-targeted social programs to help the most vulnerable groups cope with the higher cost of living.
“At the end of the mission, agreement was reached on a wide range of policies, and discussions will continue over the coming week on a few pending issues. Subject to agreement on these issues, the mission will recommend to the IMF Executive Board the completion of the sixth and seventh review, with the Board meeting expected to take place in mid-July.”

It is not clear what specific recommendations the IMF will be putting on the table except the usual demand for removal of subsidizes and consequent increment in the pump price of fuel. Already the Supreme Court has affirmed that President Mills' government is illegally charging nearly GHS1.00 per gallon of fuel. The government has refused to recognise the Supreme Court verdict that government should declare and refund 'the stolen money' into the consolidated fund. It remains to be seen how this government can muster the moral high ground to increase fuel price in the face of flagrant disregard of the Supreme Court. The free fall of the Cedi is nothing new to the NDC and the men currently at the helm of affairs. It is very apparent that they never learnt any lessons from their experience during the fiscal year 2000 which largely contributed to the defeat of the party and the then candidate Mills. Is history about to repeat itself on December 7, 2012?

We learn from history that we learn nothing from history. Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. What experience and history teach is this that people and governments never have learned anything from history, or acted on principles. History repeats itself often and Ghanaians are reliving history in a little over a decade. A any rate, a lot of people seem to agree that people get what they deserve in life as hence Ghanaians are reaping what they sowed. Do you think Ghanaians really deserve the treatment they are getting at the hands of President Mills and members of his Economic Advisory Council?

Homosexuality Is A Mental Issue

The Chief Psychiatrist of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Akwesi Osei, has publicly stated his conviction that the practice of homosexuality is a mental issue which must not be allowed to flourish in Ghana.

The practice of homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. Homosexuality is a condition some school of thought has described as not a medical or psychiatric disorder, but is a condition associated with certain medical risks.
Dr. Osei however said the excuses given by many western nations in support of the homosexuality are only borne out of political expediency and not a genuine belief that the sexual orientation is normal.“Those who are in such situations they have a certain constituency in terms of numbers and in terms of voice,” he said. Dr. Osei posited that “only for political reasons worldwide, [homosexuality] has been said to be normal but strictly speaking, I believe it is a mental health issue.”
“In the past, until some forty years ago, it was considered a mental health issues,” he said explaining that the powerful gay society of America in the 1960s started advocating to get the medical assumptions scrapped, which was eventually obliged by the American Psychiatrists. “The bottomline of whether something is normal or not is whether it is a significant departure from normality or whether the departure brings about pain to the individual or the society. If something is a significant departure from the norm and causes pain to the individual and the society, then that is a mental health issue,” adding “a man going for a man is a significant departure from the normal and in our society; it causes distress to the society. It is a mental health issue.”
The Chief Psychiatrist said like HIV AIDS, anytime a disease takes roots in a country, it will be considered as normal, and that is what is happening with homosexuality. He said the fact that the practice is accepted in Europe does not mean that it should be accepted and allowed to flourish in Ghana.

27 wedding guests killed in highway crash

At least 27 guests returning from a wedding died in India on Monday May 28, 2012 when a speeding van lost control and rammed into their stationary minibus on a highway outside Mumbai.

The bus was carrying guests home from a marriage in the suburbs of Mumbai when it was hit 50 miles (80 kilometres) from the city in the western state of Maharashtra, police said.

"The minibus had stopped for repairs along the Mumbai-Pune expressway when the van lost control, broke lanes and collided into the bus," a local police officer who declined to be named told AFP by telephone.

About 18 people were injured, with many taken to hospital for treatment, he said, adding that the van driver was held for interrogation.

The six-lane, toll highway has witnessed scores of fatal accidents since opening a decade ago.

His Sufficiency is enough to see you through

All of us at one point in time or the other experience our ups and downs when we begin to question if everything is working well or we have made the round move. The mind sometimes start to play on you causing you to question relevance of your very existence. We ask questions as Why me, What did I do wrong, Where am I going from here, When is my breakthrough coming, and how will the future be like? All these questions find expression in one word sufficiency. Kay Sandberg describes sufficiency as the exquisite state of being where you are enough, you have enough and you envision a world where this is true for all.

Doubt, a status between belief and disbelief, involves uncertainty or distrust or lack of sureness of an alleged fact, an action, a motive, or a decision.

But I want to tell you that His sufficiency is enough to sustain you. That sufficiency should not been seen as external to your personality. The creation story makes us understand that God placed in each of us His spirit hence we are like Him; in His own image He created us. Understand that so long as the Lord tarries, your sufficiency is more than enough. Just dig deeper to discover your unearthed talent to the glory of your maker. He is Awake!

All-Die-Be-Die Fatwa

Ever since the Presidential candidate of Ghana's main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo declared the so-called All-Die-Be-Die fatwa in Koforidua, the statement has been received in the country with mixed reaction. His opponents have largely vilified him while his sympathisers point to reasons to justify it. Yet there are some who do not question the edict but seek to know contexts in which the fatwa should be carried out. And yet those who are religious also claim that there is more in a word than a mere collection of letters saying death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Consequently, many people in Ghana have lost their lives by the tongue, and some have saved lives by it. While the controversy rages on, it may though appear that some people are manifesting the practical aspects of "All-Die-Be-Die".

The last couple weeks have seen the action of killing oneself intentionally in Ghana climbing at an incredible rate thus dominating news headlines. Network for Anti-suicide and Crisis Prevention suicide statistics in the last year shows that the most dominant methods used to commit suicide in the southern sector were hanging and poisoning while in the northern sector they shoot with a gun and hanging by rope. The highest number of suicide cases were recorded among the age range 20 to 35 years with a total of 702. The outstanding reasons offered by this group were love relationship problems and poverty amongst other things. The next category of suicide prone people is the age cohort of 9 to 19 years recording 531 deaths. The dominant causes of their deaths were problems with parents, failure at school, inability of parents to provide their needs, love relationship problems amongst others. The third category comprises 36 years upwards with some 323 suicide deaths. The foremost reasons here were impotence and poverty. There were 1, 129 men and 427 women suicide deaths.

The Network for Anti-suicide and Crisis Prevention suicide statistics gave the following geographical ranking breakdown.

Greater Accra Region 431
Northern Region 276
Ashanti Region 132
Upper West 118
Brong Ahafo Region 114
Upper East 102
Western Region 102
Eastern Region 98
Volta Region 97
Central region 86
Now All Die Be Die was at work when one examines the individual cases and how some of these final journeys were executed.

An Ambassador-in-residence at the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD) and Ghana’s former ambassador to France, AU and Algeria, H.E Clarus Kwabena Sekyi, 70 years jumped from the ninth floor of the Trust Towers and died instantly on May 23, 2012.

A 57-year-old man, Emmanuel Nii Adjei Owusu, shot his wife, Mrs Elizabeth Adjei Owusu, 50 and then turned the gun on himself on May 13, 2012 at Firestone in Madina, Accra.

A 37 year old graduate teacher, Simon Sahira hanged himself on a mango tree at Weta Junction in the Ketu District of the Volta region on May 11, 2012.
A 21 year old upcoming rapper from Tema, Gabe Small, killed himself in May 2012.
A 25 year old auto electrician, Isaac Amponsah hanged himself in  a wooden kiosk at Community 12 at Tema.

A 50-year-old man, Kwadwo Ababio cut his throat with a razor blade at Pewodie, near Adansi Anwiaso in the Ashanti region. He failed and subsequently jailed.

A 27 year old ex-convict, Kwadwo Yeboah, butchered his 26 year wife who was three month pregnant, Yaa Oforiwaa and two children, Abena Adwubi, 4, Francisca Ama, one-and-a-half year old in Kumasi.

One lingering question about all these incidents is that not a single one of these suicide cases has successfully been detected and foiled by the Special Forces Unit of the GAF set up specifically to deal with All-die be die incidents. From all indications, the Special Forces are not up to the task of dealing with the incidence of all die be die. The reasons could be that they are either ill-equipped or not well trained to handle the delicate assignment of diffusing suicides in Ghana. Some people have also said perhaps whoever formed the group did not do good analysis of the problem confronting the nation and therefore the Special Forces is not well suited to deal with all-die be die fatwa. Maybe they opined that the powers be who are the brains behind the setting up of the Special Forces must consult the US Homeland Security and the CIA for tit-bits on how to deal a deadly blow to suicide the Abottmandad-style. All die be die can take many forms and can be committed  by all sorts of citizens irrespective of status hence in depth knowledge rather than show of brute force is what is required to curb the phenomenon. The folks who read psychology at our universities need to help the Special Forces by formulating theory to explain why five people in Ghana take their lives daily. Although all die be die is glorified and justified by some people, the stark truth is that some deaths are indeed horrific and better be avoided in favour of a more humane death. All die, no be die!

Mills' cabinet says 'no court', Martin Amidu challenges constitutionality

If you have ever heard anybody misquoting former Prime Minister Kofi Abrefa Busia about the infamous “No court”, “No court” in the “Apollo 568” Supreme Court Judgement, you will hold back your breathe. Twenty years in the 4th Republican constitution, the rule of law in Ghana has suffered a very serious setback at the hands of no other person than the President who has sworn an oat to protect the organs of state including the judiciary. 

Few days after two junior ministers who were clearly used as proxy lost a case against the national chairman of the opposition NPP at the Supreme Court, the President and his cabinet today issued a fiat to overturn the Supreme verdict. In as such as I am not a lawyer, I will not attempt to go legal. However, can someone cite and explain the criminal code or constitutional clause concerning immoral acquisition? Whatever this phrase or terminology connotes, I bet Ghana is facing a constitutional crisis to the best of my knowledge. The constitution frowns upon retrospective application of laws. 

The Atta Mills' unprecedented cabinet fiat enclosed in this post calls into question the commitment of the government to the rule of law. The least he could have done was to go for legal review. However I foresee the president and his cabinet and the entire NDC fraternity falling on their own dagger if they should seek a legal review of the supreme court ruling. From information gathered so far, one of the supreme court Justices, Brobbey is going on retirement and any legal review on this specific case will require the appointment of additional Justice. This is where their past will come back to haunt t  them. Can Mills too pack the Court?

CABINET STATEMENT

The Government of Ghana has reversed its decision to sell a State bungalow that became the centre of a Supreme Court controversy since 2008.

The Supreme Court by a majority decision on Tuesday 22nd May 2012 dismissed a case in which two deputy Ministers of State challenged the right of the NPP National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, to acquire a State bungalow he lived in as minister of tourism and chief of staff.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah and Edward Omane-Boamah, alleged that Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey abused his office during the acquisition of bungalow No. 2 Mango Street at the Ridge Residential area. The Supreme court however unanimously dismissed all the charges levelled agaianst him.

In a press statement signed by Information Minister, Fritz Baffour, Cabinet resolved at its meeting today “NOT to sell the said property,” currently being occupied by Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, a presidential aide.

It added that “no political appointee should be allowed to engage in such unacceptable transaction.”

The statement titled Government will not sell property to Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, described the acquisition as “immoral”, adding “the property in question thus continues to remain the property of the State.”.
Looming Constitutional Crisis
Article 2 of the 4th Republic Constitution of 1992 is devoted to the enforcement of supreme court verdicts and outlines the following actions and implications.
2 (1) A person who alleges that - 
        (a) an enactment or anything contained in or done, under the authority of that or any other enactment;  or 
       (b) any act or omission of any person; 
is inconsistent with, or is in contravention of a provision of this Constitution, may bring an action in the Supreme Court for a declaration to that effect.
(2) The Supreme Court shall, for the purposes of a declaration under clause (1) of this article, make such orders and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for giving effect, or enabling effect to be given, to the declaration so made.
(3) Any person or group of persons to whom an order or direction is addressed under clause (2) of this article by the Supreme Court, shall duly obey and carry out the terms of the order or direction.
(3) Any person or group of persons to whom an order or direction is addressed under clause (2) of this article by the Supreme Court, shall duly obey and carry out the terms of the order or direction.
(4) Failure to obey or carry out the terms of an order or direction made or given under clause (2) of this article constitutes a high crime under this Constitution and shall, in the case of the President or the Vice President, constitute a ground for removal from office under this Constitution.
(5) A person convicted of a high crime under clause (4) of this article shall-

      (a) be liable to imprisonment not exceeding ten years without the option of a fine; and
     (b) not be eligible for election, or for appointment, to any public office for ten years beginning with the      date of the expiration of the term of imprisonment.

MARTIN AMIDU'S STAKE
Dismissed Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Martin A.B.K. Amidu has issued a statement on the government's decision that it would no longer sell the controversial Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey bungalow. 
Below is the full statement:

PRESIDENT MILLS’ EXECUTIVE JUDGMENT OVERRULING THE JUDGMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND AGAINST THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLES OF THE NDC: BY MARTIN A. B. K. AMIDU
On the night of Thursday 24 May 2012 I read on Ghanaweb.com/GhanaHome Page a story with the title ‘Government no longer selling ‘Jake Bungalow.”’ The story in its concluding paragraph ‘“described the acquisition as “immoral”’. I also read a statement attributed to the Forum for Governance and Justice (FGJ) in which my nephew and kinsman Dr. Appaak was alleged to have said: “the forum will study the docket and possibly seek redress… The plaintiff – Okudzeto Ablakwa and Omane-Boamah have also indicated that they will push for review of the case.” Another newspaper on the same web on 24th May 2012 referred to the judgment as “Stinking Supreme Court Ruling ..” and concluded that: “We wish Justice Brobbey a happy retirement and may he live long to experience ….his actions.” I also read another newspaper with the title “Two “Jake Bungalow” Judges are NNP – Akume.” I heard other comments about the morality of the case on radio as well and I see nothing immoral or unconstitutional when ordinary citizens temperately criticize rulings or judgments of the Courts.
I accordingly agree entirely with all those who expressed temperate concerns about the moral issues at stake. I took the view that the moral issues could cut both ways and be very damaging as well to Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey and the NPP during the coming elections should the voters perceive his conduct to be very reprehensible. I also took the view that whatever anybody’s perceptions about the outcome of the Supreme Court’s judgment a review application or redress under the due process of the law as indicated by Dr Apaak was the only available cause of action open within any civilized democratic Government under the Supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. I nonetheless determined not to make any comments on the matter and sent an e-mail on the night of 24 May 2012 to a South African friend in the USA who wanted to know the latest exciting happenings in Ghana. In the last paragraph of the e-mail I stated that:
“The Supreme Court gave a judgment in favour of Jake, the Chairman of the NPP over a government bungalow which he occupied as a Minister but which was allegedly sold to him after he left office. Hell broke loose from the Government side. The Cabinet decided it is no longer going to sell the bungalow to him even though he had already paid for it. Morally the Government may be right to oppose Ministers or former Ministers buying the bungalows in which they live as such Ministers. But legally and constitutionally the Government directive overruling the Supreme Court’s 6-3 majority decision constitutes executive judgment over judicial judgment. My professional view is that the Government decision is unconstitutional as the Constitution even forbids legislative judgment over decisions of the Supreme Court. But I dare not speak openly otherwise I will be accused of just opposing everything the Government does. I am happy and thank God I left as their Attorney-General before this because I would not have agreed to it. I would have urged an application for judicial review of the decision first. Take my word; the Government is for ever going to be accused of unconstitutional conduct in spite of any moral arguments. Courts do not decide morals they decide law, period.”
But on the morning of 25 May 2012 professional curiosity urged me to read what the Government really said on the Government of Ghana Official Portal least there had been some misrepresentation of the Government’s position. The GNA statement recited the fact that Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey bought the property when he was a Minister under the Kufuor administration. It then quoted the following and attributed it to the statement issued by the Minister for Information:
“In the supreme interest of the people of Ghana, and taking cognizance of the Supreme Court ruling in the matter of Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey’s immoral acquisition of State Property he occupied as a Minister of State, Cabinet at its sitting ..Thursday…has decided not to sell the said property.” (Peacefm has the fuller quotation with the date and year)
I realized how serious and unconstitutional the above quoted statement constituted an “executive judgment” by the President over the ruling of the Supreme Court. The statement incites the people of Ghana against the Supreme Court’s ruling with the innuendo that the Supreme Court acts contrary to “the supreme interest of the people of Ghana” in the exercise of the Judicial Power entrusted to it under Article 125(3) and its independence under Article 127(2) and (3) of the Constitution. Coming from a President vested with the Executive Power to be exercised in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution the statement further violated Articles 3(3), 12, 58(1) and (2), of the Constitution. I have no doubt whatsoever that the President’s executive judgment over the decision of the Supreme Court (declaratory or whatever) has the tendency to affect the credibility and fortunes of the NDC as a democratic and Constitutional party for electoral purposes now and in future.
The Plaintiffs who had sued the Attorney-General, as the Defendant had expressed an intention to exercise their right to apply for a review of the decision of the Supreme Court. The Attorney-General as the main Defendant under Article 88 of the Constitution must know the exclusivity of his right to apply for review of the decision of the Supreme Court. The working constitutional system of the nation did not have to be interfered with by any unconstitutional Executive judgment by the President. The Constitution and the laws of Ghana provide several available legal alternatives for dealing with the decision of the Supreme Court without unconstitutionally calling its integrity into disrepute.
Firstly, Court packing has become part of the indecent baggage of constitutional and democratic governance all over the world where most Presidents who have the opportunity during their tenure to make appointments or replacement appointments to the Courts choose lawyers or judges whom they perceive to be ideologically ad idem with their politics. Many a President has, however, been disappointed with the decisions of his chosen judges after the appointment. Indeed in 2001 all the justices on the Supreme Court had been appointed to the Court by either the PNDC or the NDC but they did not slavishly make decisions based upon that fact.
Secondly, President Mills knows that there have been two vacancies on the Supreme Court for him to fill since early or mid last year which he has not insisted on filling. It does not, therefore, lie in anybody’s mouth to make an argument of previous Court packing when the President has characteristically chosen not to expedite the nominations by demanding the names from the Judicial Council. How many days did it take for the late Mr. Justice D. K Afreh to be appointment to the Supreme Court? I repeat that there is no guarantee that the judges will decide for Government simply because the President appointed them.
Thirdly, unless there is cogent and credible evidence of judicial misconduct on the part of the Supreme Court or a majority thereof in the exercise of the judicial power it is unconstitutional for any President in whom the Executive Power is vested to make insinuations against the Supreme Court. I imagine the dissenting Justices even detesting the President’s executive judgment more, because of the impression it creates over their dissent.
Fourthly, three judges have now to join the panel of the Supreme Court should any of the parties, including Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey, decide to exercise a right to review based on exceptional circumstances (which includes errors of law ) because Mr. Justice Brobbey would not be available to sit on the review. Fifthly, there is abundant evidence in the Ghana Law Reports that Supreme Court Justices can be convinced by strong persuasive and credible argumentation to change their minds in some review applications. I will give only one example very similar to this case for lack of space.
In Ghico Refrigeration & Household Products Ltd v Hanna Assi [2005-2006] SCGLR 458, Sophia Akufo, Dr. Date Bah, Prof Ocran, Ansah, and Aninakwah JJSC unanimously dismissed the Plaintiff-company’s appeal and by a three to two majority decision (Sophia Akuffo and Prof Ocran JJC dissenting) also dismissed the defendant’s cross appeal. In a first review application by the plaintiff-company to the Supreme Court in Gihoc Refrigeration & Household Products (No 1) v Hanna Assi [2007-2008] SCGLR 1 the Supreme Court constituted by the same review panel as the (No. 2) case below unanimously dismissed the Plaintiff-company Applicant’s application again.
But in Ghico Refrigeration & Household Products (No. 2) v Hanna Assi [2007 – 2008] SCGLR 16 the Supreme Court constituted by Atuguba, Sophia Akuffo, Georgina Wood (as she then was), Dr. Date-Bah, Prof Ocran, Ansah, and Aninakwah JJSC allowed an application for review by the Defendant/Applicant, Hanna Assi, of the majority decision of the ordinary bench of the Supreme Court in Gihoc Refrigeration & Household Product Ltd v Hanna Assai [2005-2006] SCGLR 458 on the grounds, inter alia, that a decision touching on jurisdiction, if wrong, was a fundamental error which could lead to injustice and was clearly a ground for review. In the instant case, the majority of the ordinary bench erred in affirming the decision of the Court of Appeal which had held that in the absence of a counterclaim, the trial court had no jurisdiction to grant the reliefs of declaration of title and recovery of possession of the disputed property to the Defendant/Applicant.
I have cited the above cases, particularly the Hanna Assi (No. 2) to demonstrate the value of review and the possibility of even a majority going over to join the dissenting judges or judge to overrule their previous decision with the support of the two additional judges for the review. In Hanna Assi (No. 2) Sophia Akuffo, and Prof Ocran (the dissenters) where joined by Dr. Date-Bah, Ansah, and Aninakwah (the majority) and the additional justices Atuguba and Georgina Wood to unanimously allow the application for review for the Defendant/Applicant, Hanna Assi. There are several other cases in the Ghana Law Reports showing Supreme Court judges acceding to cogent, credible and persuasive argumentation on review.
The National Democratic Congress was founded upon the realization of the importance of Constitutionalism under an independent judiciary as an inclusive and civilized mode of attaining the rule of law ideal. Even Parliament has been deprived under Article 107of the Constitution of any “…power to pass any law – (a) to alter the decision or judgment of any court as between the parties subject to that decision or judgment;…”
I know as a fact that the property in dispute is only one of others under the Accra Redevelopment Scheme.
The contest has been whether or not the Accra Redevelopment Policy was followed in the sale of the bundle of properties in dispute. I also know as a fact that under the authority of the President a Committee of eminent land lawyers and administrators was appointed to Investigate the Sale of Government Lands in Accra (including the in-fillings) and the Committee submitted its report in September 2009. The President has not had both the moral and legal courage as President to make a decision one way or the other on the report after several meetings on it.
It therefore beats my imagination what the special immoral circumstances surrounding this lone property, which can be subject to review by the Court, are in contradistinction to the other properties contained in the findings and recommendations of the Committee to warrant the President to resort to executive judgment, defame the Supreme Court and also drag the NDC’s Constitutional credentials into disrepute. Equality they say is equity. Has the political morality contained in this maxim changed under our multiparty Constitutional dispensation?
As a foundation member of the NDC I am afraid that the working people, the middle class and particularly the floating voters of Ghana are more discerning of spins to know that an unconstitutional executive judgment by the President purporting to overrule a judgment of the Supreme Court and accompanied by insinuations on the integrity of the Supreme Court and legal profession can never be in “the supreme interest of the people of Ghana.” It is in this connection that I feel compelled to repeat an advice I gave to the Attorney-General (when he was the Minister of the Interior) in the concluding paragraph of my letter No. D. 19/SF.9 dated 8th March 2011 entitled “RECALL FROM INTERDICTION”. I concluded thus: “I have a parting thought: It is our constitutional duty as Ministers of this Republic to uphold the truth and defend justice to the end that we save our party and Government from embarrassment even to the peril of our being dismissed from office than keep quiet for our party and Government to be damned by our timidity.” I lived my words. George W. Bush’s, “Decision Points” at pages 172 to 174 is good guidance for the Attorney-General’s Office and the Presidency on the professional ethics mandated by Article 88 of our Constitution.
I feel compelled to speak for myself as a foundation member of the NDC, in exercise of my right to freedom of speech and in defence of the Constitution. Spinning can never win the NDC the elections. Only integrity can. Respect the Constitution.
Martin A. B. K. Amidu
 

The gargantuan questions

• Is the president of Ghana, John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, an honest man?
• Does he deserve to be in office for another term?
• Do you think President Mills is competent enough to lead Ghana?
• Does he have the competent team to work with?
• Have those who returned the NDC onto the political scene done Ghanaians any good?
• Do you think there was an error of judgment on the part of the electorate in 2008?
• Do you think the Ghanaian electorate should also give Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo a chance in the December polls?   

“If you want to test a man’s character, give him power” – Abraham Lincoln. In their quest to test the character of the then the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Ghanaian electorate gave their mandate to Prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills in the 2008 presidential election. Prof. Mills, since the year 2000, has made 822 promises and below are some of them. Kindly read and make your own judgment about our president.

Top Promises of President Mills

      0. There will be no familial appointments in my government. Who are Dr. Cadman Atta Mills and   Samuel Atta Mills? Ato Ahwoi and Kwesi Ahwoi? Alfred Agbesi Woyome and Stan Dogbe? Mahama Iddrissu, Betty Mould-Iddrissu and Alex Mould?, Zita Okai-Koi and Andrews Okai-Koi? Kofi Totobi-Quakyi and Felix Ofosu Kwakye? etc???

1. I will consult Rawlings 24 hours a day – Today, Mills says he is looking for an opportunity to sit down with Rawlings to sort out their differences. Former President Rawlings, the founder of the NDC, now says he has perceived enemies from the opposition and traitors within the NDC hence NDC must return to opposition.
2. I will hit the ground running – Mills hit the ground and broke his legs. He seems to be crawling as all sectors of the economy are growing slowly.
3. I will reduce fuel prices drastically – a gallon of petrol has increased from GH¢3.60 to GH¢8.0, showing a drastic increase in price in the last 3 years.
4. I will put money in your pockets – our pockets are now empty because of increases in utility tariffs (electricity, water, gas) and school fees. Poverty is on the increase and the number of strike actions and demonstrations tell it all.
5. I will heal wounds and unite the nation – the nation is polarized as the NDC continues to play the tribal card. Ewes occupy 90% of political appointments.
6. I will make sure there is no NPP Ghana or NDC Ghana – Ghana is seriously divided between NDC and NPP. Politics of ideas has given way to politics of insults.
7. I will build a factory in each district – Where can we find the factories? Instead, John Mahama is buying bulldozers to kill flies. Over 300 factories were sold by the P/NDC government.
8. I will make sure all my appointees declare their assets within 6 months into my administration – None of the appointees has declared any asset after 3 years.
9. I will set up a truly non-partisan and competent commission on the murders of Ya Na and Issah Mobila, and prosecute the killers – There is no evidence for prosecution according to Kofi Adam.
10. I will avoid the appointment of MPs and Ministers to positions of Chairman of Public Sector Companies to avoid intrusion of the party – Board Chairman of GETFund is Kwabena Adjei (NDC Chairman), Board Chairman of Road Fund – Joe Gidisu (MP), Board Chairman of NHIS, Doe Adjaho (MP). Board Chairman of Ghana Civil Aviation, Alban S.K. Bagbin (Minister and MP).
11. I will clear all filth in the cities within 100 days – Cholera outbreak is the order of the day. Ghana is ranked the 2nd dirtiest country in West Africa.
12. I will make Ghanaians pay one-time premium – The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has collapsed as the one-time premium has given way to ‘Capitation’.
13. I will give 40% of ministerial appointments to women – Only 11% appointments have been made so far and the maltreatment of Nana Konadu Agyemang and other female journalists are clear examples. NDC has only 4 female MPs as against NPP’s 14. Mills tells Ghanaian women that they are not interested in politics.
14. I will build 200,000 houses within 5yrs through the STX Korea deal and 30,000 of the houses would be given to the security officers – STX Korea deal is dead.
15. I will improve the country’s education at all levels – the BECE recorded the worst results for over a decade. Only tea cups embossed with the president’s portrait have been given to these pupils.
16. I will build 2 universities in the Volta and Brong-Ahafo Regions in this ‘Action Year’ – The construction sites have now turned into zoological gardens.
17. I will eliminate all schools under trees – In spite of the oil revenue, several schools are still under trees.
18. I will provide all basic school pupils with school uniforms – for the past 3 yrs only 20% of the pupils have received the free school uniforms.
19. I will expand the School Feeding Programme to cover all basic schools – that did not happen as some schools in NPP strongholds were removed from the programme for the benefit of those in NDC strongholds.
20. I will make armed robbery a thing of the past – Social vices are on the increase. Police officers are being killed by armed robbers.
21. I will provide meaningful jobs for the youth – For the first time in the history of Ghana, there is an Association of Unemployed Graduates, and Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, a Dep. Minister of Local Government, calls them lazy people and sees them as an evil group.
22. I will generate funds internally and not rely on IMF, World Bank or foreign loans – Surprisingly, the Mills-Mahama NDC government has secured over GH¢18bn loans abroad. Another $3bn from China is in the pipeline. According to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s debt stood at GH¢25.3m as at 2011.
23. I will bridge the poverty gap between the north and the south – Poverty between the north and the south is widening.
24. I will put GH¢600m into the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) – In the 2011 Budget Statement, only GH¢8m was voted into it. SADA has come to a standstill.
25. I will build the Eastern and Western corridor infrastructure – That was a camouflage. The promise of 10% of oil revenue to the people of Western Region was not fulfilled.
26. I will cut down waste and profligate spending – Mills purchased 5 military aircrafts at a cost of $250m. He spent GH¢48,000 on Nkrumah’s birthday, and GH¢622m on judgment debts, including Woyome’s GH¢51m. The NDC is building a $20m party headquarters in Accra.
27. I will prosecute my corrupt ministers and appointees without asking for evidence – What happened to ‘Kyinkyinka’ Muntaka (pampers), Mahama Ayarega (tractors), Carl Wilson (imported vehicles), and Asiedu Nketia (block making)? Why are Mills’ appointees committing gargantuan crimes against the state? Why did Mills sack his former Attorney-General, Hon. Martin Amidu?
28. I will be a father of all Ghanaians – Selective justice has replaced the “father for all mantra”. Why did Mills direct his DCEs/MDCEs to open their doors for only NDC members and sympathizers? Why arrest Hon. Ken Agyepong and leave Nii Lamptey Vanderpuije?
29. I will not pursue politics of vendetta – Why did the president order his appointees, especially Victor Smith, to seize vehicles and offices belonging to his political opponents? What has happened to ex-president Kufuor’s end of service benefits? Why did the Mills-Mahama government file 13 high profile court cases against its political opponents and lose them all?
30. I will turn the Golden Jubilee House into a poultry farm – Why is the place being occupied by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
31. I will abrogate the Ghana Telecom sale to Vodafone – What are you waiting for, Mr. President? Vodafone is the leading mobile network in Ghana today.
32. I will probe the Ghana @ 50 celebrations and prosecute all those who misappropriated and misapplied public funds – What came out of the reports by the 23 Commissions of Enquiry set up by the president?
33. I will modernize agriculture – Agriculture has seen a consistent decline in growth since 2009.
34. I will cut down rice importation by 50% - Rice importation has increased from $400m to $700m annually.
35. I will build airports in Cape Coast and Tamale and also build the Kotokoraba market – We are still waiting.
36. I will improve infrastructure in the country – the President bows down his head in shame when he passes on some of the roads. Is the Sofoline interchange in Kumasi part of the infrastructure?
37. I will expand all social interventions introduced by my predecessor – most of the interventions, e.g. NHIS and free maternal care have collapsed and now maternal mortality is on the increase.
38. I will not be a globe-trotter like Kufuor – By the help of the Presidential Jet, Mills, together with Mahama, has travelled around the globe more than any Ghanaian leader. He went to Japan, made a u-turn for the Population Census and disappeared the following day. Similarly, he left for the US for 6 weeks, returned to Ghana for 3 days and went back to the US under the pretence of meeting investors during the Christmas period.
39. I will make full investigations into the serial killings of women that occurred between 1999 and 2000 – We are still waiting.
40. I will not introduce any new tax – Several new taxes, including Akpetshie, airport, and environmental taxes have been introduced.
41. I will wage war against narcotics trade – Cocaine turns into soda under Mills’ watch.
42. I will ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections – Biometric Voters’ Registration exercise has turned into violence. What happened at Akwatia, Chereponi, and Atiwa during the by-elections?
43. I will burn Ghana like Kenya if the elections go the other way – Fire outbreaks, mining disasters; floods have characterized the Mills-Mahama administration.
44. I will ensure a level playing field for the 2012 elections – Today some police officers are registering foreigners in Togo.
45. I will strengthen all state institutions – CHRAJ, EOCO, EC, PURC, GSS etc. – After 2 years of Population and Housing Census, figures are yet to be released. Ghana Statistical Service has been cooking inflation figures for the NDC government. Kwabena Adjei, NDC Chairman, threatened to ‘kill the cat’.
46. I will promote freedom of speech – This has been substituted with “causing fear and panic”. Nana Darkwah and Amina can tell you more about that.
47. I will pay professional allowance to all professional teachers – In the end, teachers who embarked on demonstration were sprayed with hot water. Others were stripped naked in Bawku.
48. I will form a government on expertise and competence, not party or family interests - Who are the ‘bootlickers’, ‘greedy bastards’, and the ‘Team B’ ministers? Why did the president sack Dr. Bawumia and Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng?
49. I swear, try me and see. I will not disappoint you because I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth – Mansions are being built by President Mills through Regimanuel Estate and his Director of Communications describes them as “tokens”.
50. I am a better man for a better Ghana – If so, why the ‘ecomini’ and ‘omama’ pronunciations? Why did the party’s founder, J.J. Rawlings, refer to Mills as “Konogo Kaya”? The ‘Better Ghana’ agenda has turned into a ‘Better Volta’ agenda and Ghanaians are witnesses to this fact. 

A new opinion poll by research outfit Synovate Ghana, formerly Steadman,  offers some insight into how Ghanaian electorates feel about the president. The new opinion survey conducted between April 24 and May 10,2012 puts opposition New Patriotic Party flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo ahead of President John Mills by eight percent if elections were held in May, 2012. Nana Akufo-Addo will leap in front with 44 percent lead ahead of President Mills garnered 36 percent of nation-wide votes. The survey said Nana Akufo-Addo won in six out of the 10 regions, whilst president Mills will won the other four. Both candidates got very high votes in their traditional strongholds of Volta and Ashanti. President Mills got 76 percent of the votes in the Volta Region as against Nana Akufo-Addo’s 17. In the Ashanti Region, the NPP flagbearer had 73 percent as against President Mills’ 22. In the swing regions of Greater Accra, Central, Western and Brong Ahafo regions, the survey finds that the NPP’s Akufo-Addo will win in all but one – the Central Region, where president Mills comes from.

Ghana's Autos market expanding

New market research report "Ghana Autos Report Q3 2012" worked out by Business Monitor International (BMI) has been recently published by Market Publishers Ltd. The market research report offers a comprehensive guide to the autos industry's performance in Ghana during Q3 2012. It provides granular SWOT analysis of the country's autos sector as well as its political, economic and business environment. Furthermore, detailed market segmentation, latest trends and developments, top companies' profiles, and the overall industry forecast scenario can also be found in the study. The report states that Ghana's autos market has grown rapidly in recent years owing to the economic growth and a developing middle class, and this momentum is expected to be sustained in 2012, with a projected 28% growth in vehicle sales.

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 Notwithstanding the country's small size, Ghana's autos market has grown rapidly in recent years owing to the economic growth and a developing middle class. And this momentum is expected to be sustained in 2012, with a projected 28% growth in vehicle sales, to 11,774 units. In addition to increasing personal spending power, government-led schemes, like re-equipping the police force with new vehicles, are also believed to bolster sales. However, there are risks of macroeconomic instability stemming from burgeoning oil revenues and the December 2012 election. With annual growth in GDP per capita unlikely to fall below double-digits over the next five years, taking the figure from USD 1,565 in 2011 to USD 2,876 by 2016-end, vehicle sales are expected to be a beneficiary.