Politics
Ken Ofori-Atta to appear before committee probing censure motion against him today
Source: Ernest Arhinful
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta will appear before committee probing the Minority’s censure motion against him today to defend himself.
The Minister will have to prove to the committee why he should not be censured due to the allegations leveled against him.
Mr Ken Ofori-Atta’s appearance is scheduled at 10am per a communique issued by the Parliamentary Service on Thursday.
The Committee began its work on Tuesday, with proponents (Majority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu and Cassiel Ato Forson) adducing evidence for their motion. The caucus In adducing evidence justified its calls for the removal of the Finance Minister, citing the government’s reckless spending in the financial sector clean-up as one of the justifications.
However, On Thursday, officials of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and that of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) also made an appearance before the committee.
During the meeting, the PIAC corroborated allegations by the Minority that government illegally paid $100 million in oil revenues into an offshore account.
According to the Committee, the money forms part of the proceeds of crude oil export in the first half of this year and was lodged in the account of Jubilee Oil Holding Limited which is registered outside Ghana.
However, the GNPC rejected the claims insisting it did not breached any law(s).
But the Minister has been exempted from providing answers on that allegation. This is because, “the Committee found the evidence from the two institutions satisfactory”, the letter from the Parliamentary Service and sighted MyJoyOnline.com.
Politics
We will pursue everyone who has misused state monies – Mahama
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has issued a strong warning to existing government appointees implicated in the misuse of public monies.
He stated unequivocally that anyone guilty of such activities would be held accountable for the harm done to the nation if elected in future elections.
Mr. Mahama emphasised that his objective is not to conduct a witch hunt, but rather to guarantee that state resources are used for their proper purposes, therefore benefiting the Ghanaian people.
Speaking on Tuesday, April 16, as part of his “Building the Ghana We Want” trip in the North East Region, he emphasised the necessity of accountability and openness in governance, stating that anybody found guilty of misappropriating monies will face repercussions.
The previous president promised to empower investigative and anti-corruption authorities to function properly throughout his term. He hopes to eliminate corruption and maintain Ghana’s rule of law by enabling these authorities to carry out their tasks without interference.
Mr Mahama encouraged Ghana’s young to be positive and asked them to vote for the NDC in the 2024 elections, promising a brighter future under his leadership.
He stressed the need for joint work in creating a wealthy and fair society, underlining the role of youth in moulding the country’s future.
“I can assure them that the people of Ghana will hold them accountable for their actions.” We are not intending to witch-hunt anyone, but if you have harmed the people of Ghana and misused their money, you must account for it. So investigative and corruption institutions will operate, and the young of our nation must acknowledge the harm done to them,” he stated.
Politics
Oppong Nkrumah blames the minority for Komenda Sugar Factory delay
The Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has blamed the Minority in Parliament for impeding the Komenda Sugar Factory’s operationalization.
According to him, the Minority is resisting the government’s efforts to obtain tax breaks for firms importing semi-refined sugar into the nation in order to jumpstart the sugar mill.
He has asked the Komenda Traditional Council to work with the Minority to provide the tax waiver and begin operations at the facility.
He made this statement during a recent trip to the area to evaluate the coastal defence project.
However, some Komenda residents are dissatisfied with Kojo Oppong Nkrumah’s request to the Traditional Council to work with the Minority to offer tax breaks.
According to them, the chiefs and people had already purchased property to produce sugarcane to feed the factory, which would provide work for the locals.
They resisted importing semi-refined sugar for the facility.
They have threatened to vote against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) if President Akufo-Addo fails to operationalize the factory despite multiple pledges made to the people.
Politics
Abu Sakara explains what led to his union with Alan Kyerematen
Dr. Abu Sakara Foster, the founder of the National Interest Movement (NIM), has explained the rationale for his partnership with Alan Kyerematen, the founder of the Movement for Change (M4C).
He highlighted that their collaboration is motivated by a shared ambition for the growth of the country.
According to Dr. Sakara, their goal is to implement creative policies that would solve the obstacles impeding the country’s reform plan.
Dr Sakara stated in an interview with JoyNews’ AM Show on Wednesday, April 10, that their partnership transcends personal interests and is entirely dedicated to helping the nation.
He stated that their partnership is intended to allow the participation of independent-minded individuals in the country’s growth, regardless of political allegiance.
“The desire to think outside the box led us to a union of minds and then we said why don’t we create some kind of electoral alliance that will address this but for a change, it is not about you and me but we need to put together a framework and a key understanding that will allow other people to join because then they know that it is not about us,” he said.
When asked who initiated their partnership, he answered that Mr. Kyerematen contacted him.
Dr Sakara explained that this approach took place before Mr. Kyerematen’s loss in the NPP presidential primary.
“Well, I think he approached me first. I know him but I don’t know him that much. He approached me from the point of view of his transformation plan. He approached me not for political purposes but for the purpose of formulating a great transformation plan,” he added.
Independent presidential candidate Alan John Kyerematen announced a strategic alliance with the NIM founder on Thursday, April 4.
This signified the beginning of an alliance known as “The Alliance for Revolutionary Change (ARC)”
In a statement announcing the Alliance’s official debut on Wednesday, April 17, Mr. Kyerematen went into depth about the organization’s goals.
The ARC’s main objective is to bring together Ghanaians from different backgrounds, with an emphasis on women and youth in particular, with the ultimate goal of selecting Ghana’s first independent candidate to be president.
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