CPP re-schedule date for filling of flagbearer forms

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The Convention People’s Party (CPP) on Friday re-scheduled the date for filling of nomination forms from for presidential aspirants due to the dynamic development within the Nkrumahist front for a common agenda for Election 2012.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Accra, Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreets, CPP General Secretary explained that the party and the People’s National Convention (PNC) have proactively advanced in negotiations for fielding parliamentary and presidential candidates for the general election.

He said in view of the current realities on the Nkrumahist front the National Leadership considers it prudent to suspend the processes leading the CPP’s Flag bearership contest to pave the way for a common candidate.

The CPP on January 4, opened nominations for its flag bearer for the 2012 presidential election, closing on Friday January 27.

Two leading members Mr Bright O Akwetey and Dr Foster Abu Sakara have picked nominations to contest for the slot.

Mr Bernard Monah of the PNC confirmed to the GNA the advancement the two parties have achieved over a short period under the new CPP leadership.

He said the two parties are optimistic of adopting a common platform for Election 2012.

Source: GNA

Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative receives German award

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Bamboo bike

Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, an environmental NGO, has been adjudged winner of the 2011 Impact Business Award for climate change adaptation activities.

The award instituted by German Federal Ministry for Economic Corporation is reserved for organizations that apply innovative technology to improve the environment.

Ms Bernice Dapaah, Executive Director of the Initiative told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi on Friday that the award came with a cash prize of 5,000 Euros.

The NGO would also have the opportunity to share their experience at the 15th International Business Forum to be held in Germany in September this year.

Ms Dapaah said her organization had been helping to build the capacity of the rural population with little or no educational background to manufacture and assemble bicycles using bamboo.

They are also into tree planting and sensitization of the people on issues about climate change.

Ms Dapaah said the Initiative, a project of Bright Generation Community Foundation, would this year roll-out massive tree planting in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District to help sustain the eco-system.

This is a response to climatic change, resulting in floods and other extreme weather conditions.

So far, they had nursed 5,000 seedlings and this would be planted at Achiase-Amoamang.

Ms Dapaah underlined the need for comprehensive approach to climate change and its integration into development planning.

She said climate change is taking a huge toll on development which called for concerted effort to tackle it through activities like tree planting.

Source: GNA

$200m African Union new headquarters opened

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New AU building with Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s statue. Photo credit: AU

Mr Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Consultative Council, on behalf of President Hu Jintao, on Saturday afternoon inaugurated a new African Union Conference and Office Complex building in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Described as the city’s tallest building, the almost 100 meter 20- storey building, which dominates the skyline of Addis Ababa, was a gift from the Chinese Government, estimated at a cost of $200 million to the AU.

Constructed by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), within Sino-African relations, the project is China’s largest-scale aid project for Africa in decades after the construction of the Tanzania- Zambia Railway.

The centre covers a construction area of some 50,000 square meters, and will house a 2,550-seat big conference hall, a 650-seat medium conference hall, five press conference rooms and two VIP rooms, among other facilities.

Ghana’s President; John Evans Atta Mills, who would be delivering the keynote address at 18’th Ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, together with leaders of other countries of the 54-nation continental body, witnessed the inauguration of the edifice.

After the inaugural ceremony, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng handed over the golden key of the conference hall and office complex, to Mr Qinglin, who in turn handed it over to out-going AU Chairman and President Teodoro Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, and subsequently to Dr Jean Ping, the AU Commission Chairman who is seeking re-election for another four -year term.

Dr Ping in the inaugural address paid tribute to the founding fathers of the Union and praised the efforts of his predecessor former Mr Omar Alpha Konare, who mooted the idea for a new building and Ethiopian Premier Ato Meles Zenawi for the land for the complex.

He said the building underscores the relations between China and Africa, and also represents the solidarity among nations.

Out-going Africa Union Chairman President Mbasogo, paid tribute to the Chinese President, noting that China had been Africa’s largest trading partner in recent years.

He described the project as reflection of the New Africa, and emphasised the need for more intra African trade.

The African Union Conference Centre Project was one of the eight measures announced by President Hu Jintao at the Bejing Summit of the forum on China Africa Co-operation in 2006.

The project was started in February 2009 and completed in December 2011. It involved 1,200 Chinese and Ethiopian workers.

Most of the materials used came from China, which further paid for the furniture to allow what it called “immediate use of the facility”.

Source: GNA

Lawyer in alleged money laundering act pleads for variation of bail terms

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A lawyer allegedly involved in aiding money laundering activities, Charles Owusu Juanah, on Thursday prayed for a variation of the bail granted him by the Financial Division of the Fast Track High Court.

Juanah was last week granted bail in the sum of $4 million with two sureties, one of which is to be justified.

His alleged accomplice, Victor Amoah, was admitted to bail under same bail terms.

They were also ordered to report to the offices of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) daily.

Mr George Heward-Mills, counsel for Juanah, who moved a motion for variation of bail on Thursday, noted that the bail condition was burdensome as such they were unable to meet it.

He prayed the Court to vary the bail term so his client could meet the conditions.

The Court obliged and ordered that Juanah should be admitted to bail in the sum of four million dollars with three sureties one to be justified. The justification, the court said should be a deed title worth 2.5 million dollars deposited at the Court’s Registry.

Victor Amoah, the second accused, has however managed to execute his bail.

In the case Nana Kwaku Agyei, the third accused, who was remanded at the last sitting, was granted bail in the sum of four million US dollars, with three sureties.

Agyei, through his counsel, Mr Joseph Turkson, submitted to the Court a medical report of his (Agyei’s) health status and prayed the court to admit him to bail.

Mr Edward Cudjoe, a State Attorney, in response to the bail, noted that the conditions under which the Court granted bail was proper with regard of the seriousness of the offence.

Mr Cudjoe said if Amoah had managed to execute the bail, it was only fair that Juanah met the conditions as well.

He informed the court that he had seen the medical report on Agyei.

The Court adjourned the matter to February 2, saying it would commence hearing whether prosecution was ready or not.

The accused persons have pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy and aiding and abetting money laundering activities before the trial judge, Mr Justice John Ajet-Nasam.

They were accused of obtaining, through money laundering activities, $3.5 million from a Dubai-based businessman, Mohammed Shafiq, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Jampur Group, and his agents.

Juanah, who is alleged to be the principal architect, is said to have collected the $3.5 million from the GT Bank headquarters about 9:45 p.m. on November 17, 2011 after luring Mr Shafiq and his agents into the country to establish business dealings in gold.

The prosecution said when Mr Shafiq and his agents arrived in Ghana, they were told that the gold had been lodged in a vault at the SG-SSB Bank and were made to pay $3.5 million before it would be released.

It said the money was lodged in an account at the Abeka branch of the GT Bank and the alleged gold subsequently handed over to the buyers.

The prosecution further stated that when Mr Shafiq and his agents decided to verify the authenticity of the 135 kilogrammes of gold after it had been delivered, only five kilogrammes was found to be authentic.

It said when Mr Shafiq and his agents complained and threatened to lodge a complaint with the police, Juanah allegedly warned them not to dare, as they would be incarcerated for transacting an illegitimate business as illegal immigrants.

According to the Prosecution, Mr Shafiq and his agents quickly left the country for Dubai and were advised to lodge a complaint with the National Security, which referred the matter to EOCO.

Investigations had so far revealed that Juanah drafted the contract agreement for the transactions and acted as solicitor for both the buyer and the seller, while Amoah, a friend of Juanah and Agyei, acted as consultant to Mr Shafiq and his agents, the Prosecutions said.

Source: GNA

Gabon aiming to avoid Ghana clash

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Rather than taking their foot off the gas after qualifying for the quarter-finals, Gabon want to finish top of their group to avoid a potential match-up against CAF Africa Cup of Nations favourites Ghana.

A draw against Tunisia in their closing first-round tie in Franceville on Tuesday will ensure the co-hosts top Group C, after wins over Niger and Morocco. Their reward would be a last-eight date with the Group B runners-up back in the Gabonese capital on 5 February.

Gabon coach Gernot Rohr said: “We want to avoid Ghana, so we would like to finish top. That would mean also playing our quarter-final in Libreville, in this wonderful L’Amitie stadium with its fantastic crowd.

“If we come in as runners-up we would have to go to Equatorial Guinea if we make it into the semi-finals. We will play Tunisia to win, but a draw will be sufficient as we have better goal difference than them.”

These are heady days for a team ranked only 77th in the world and 16th in Africa. And Rohr cautioned: “We’re not pretending to be Brazil, we’re a very humble bunch, we have lots to improve, we have to keep our feet on the ground.”

Gabon joined Equatorial Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire in the knockout stages in the most remarkable fashion last night. Morocco held the lead up to the 77th minute after captain Houssine Kharja’s first-half goal.

But Gabon took command in the space of two minutes, with goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and former Hull City striker Daniel Cousin. The vociferous 40,000 crowd then fell silent in the first minute of injury time when Kharja coolly stepped up to level from the penalty spot.

But Gabon never gave up, with Bruno Mbanangoyes’ curling in a free-kick in the final second of the eighth minute of stoppage time to settle an unforgettable encounter. “It was really dramatic watching this fantastic game from the touchline,” said Rohr.

“I must say bravo to my players. I knew this team had mental qualities to produce such a performance, I hope they can do it again because they left a lot of energy out there.

“Now we go to Franceville to play Tunisia, a very big team. I worked in Tunisia, at Etoile du Sahel, I hope I will have a good time with my friends on Tuesday.”

Source: AFP

Africa is next destination for rapid development – John Mahama

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John Mahama – Vice President

Vice President John Mahama on Friday gave the assurance that the Government would work round the clock to make Ghana a world economic power in the coming years.

He said the country was already enjoying good governance, democracy and the rule of law which could in future spur the nation on an accelerated economic growth and development.

Vice President Mahama gave this assurance when Dr Chutikul, Senior Advisor in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), led a delegation to his office at the Castle, Osu.

The delegation was at the Castle to present the report of the last conference that was held in Ghana in 2008 and also to inform him of the next conference to be held in Qatar.

Vice President Mahama said Africa had before the world economic recession been marginalized in world trade and economics, but as the world was recovering from the danger, Africa would become the central point in trade and development.

He said although most of the countries were engrossed in political and other challenges, good leadership coupled with prudent economic measures would place the country on the right pedestal.

According to the Vice President, Ghana would hold on firmly to democracy and good governance to become a shinny example to other African countries in the coming years.

Dr Kobsak Chutikul said Ghana was regarded as a country of life and hope in the activities of the United Nations and therefore needed to accelerate its level of democracy and good governance to serve as an icon to the rest of the World.

He said notwithstanding the numerous economic challenges, they could still surmount  those challenges with good leadership and prudent management.

Source: GNA

Educational institutions urged to work on morality

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Reverend Joseph Senyo-Pongo, Resident Pastor of Evangel Assemblies of God Church, Ho at the weekend challenged educational institutions to seriously address issues pertaining to morality among students.

He said this was necessary to match academic and professional excellence with moral uprightness.

Reverend Senyo-Pongo said this at the inauguration of Wallahs Academy Army Cadet and the launch of the School’s fifth anniversary in Ho.

The anniversary scheduled for March this year is on the theme: “Five years of quality education, success, challenges and way forward.”

Reverend Senyo-Pongo said there should be no pretence that all was well with issues pertaining to morality in the country.

“Our students are our only hope and we must start working on them now, so that they become responsible citizens,” Rev. Senyo-Pongo stressed.

He therefore charged authorities of educational institutions especially Senior High Schools to give high priority to morality.

Rev Senyo-Pongo advised students to work extra hard and develop good personal ethics and principles to be successful in future.

Mr Francis Kwawu, Municipal Director of Education commended Wallahs Academy for having achieved a lot within five years.

Mr Maxwell Afram, Rector of the Academy said the School is among the top five private Senior High Schools in the Volta Region in terms of academic performance and extra-curriculum activities.

He said the school now has more than 300 students from just nine, five years ago.

Wallahs Academy is a subsidiary of Wallahs Educational Institute, which has the vision of producing excellent students for quality human resource.

Programmes lined up for the fifth anniversary include, clean-up exercises, symposiums and an anniversary durbar on March 10, 2012.

Capt. George Nfodjo (Retired) Member of Parliament for Ho-Central inaugurated the School’s Army Cadet and urged the members to help ensure discipline in the School.

Source: GNA

3 armed robbers arrested by police

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The Adenta District Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with an alleged shooting which nearly killed a Japanese national last December.
The suspect, Eric Ofori, allegedly attacked a house at Ampomaa Village near Adenta with a pump action gun to rob. In the process, he shot the victim twice in the right arm and bolted.

Items retrieved from him upon arrest included a pump action gun and two live BB cartridges.

Narrating the story to DAILY GUIDE, the Adenta District Police Commander, Stephen K. Ahiatafu, said the suspect was the bosom friend of the victim’s husband.
On December 22, 2011 around 11pm, the suspect called the victim’s husband to find out if he was at home.
Upon realizing that the husband was still at work, the suspect stormed the house and ordered that the victim open the door for him to enter.

The victim was suspicious and queried the suspect what he wanted from her at that ungodly hour.

The suspect then asked her to bring an amount of GH¢2000, otherwise he would shoot and kill her.
Ofori went ahead to fire some bullets at the door when the victim answered that she had no money.

“In the process, one of the bullets hit the victim in the arm. The victim then picked her cheque book and signed an amount of GH¢3000 to the suspect,” the commander said.

The suspect, upon sensing danger, left the cheque and bolted.
When police were informed and got to the scene, two empty shells of bullets were found, together with the signed cheque, on the compound of the victim.

The victim was rushed to the police hospital for treatment.

Suspect Eric Ofori was later arrested but upon interrogation, he denied having committed the act.

Early this month, the landlord of Eric, domiciled in the United States, reported to the station that his pump action gun and new clothing had been stolen.
“Suspect Eric Ofori, through our investigations, confessed having broken into the landlord’s room and stolen the items.

“He also confessed having used the gun to shoot the Japanese. Our checks also indicate that the bullets in the gun were the same as the ones found at the scene. Suspect would be prosecuted soon,” the commander said.
Earlier, two men who attempted to rob a compound house were also arrested.
They are Gideon Fianku- 24, and Kwesi Adjei- 20.
DSP Ahiatafu indicated that the two conspired to rob a compound house on Thursday, January 26, 2012 around 10am.

Upon getting to the house, suspect Gideon jumped into the house while Kwesi stood outside and spied.

The landlord of the house who heard that someone was attempting to break into one of the rooms called for help.
Sensing danger, the two attempted to flee but they were arrested.
A search conducted on them by the residents revealed a double-barrelled locally-made pistol and a knife.
The suspects were brought to the police station for interrogation. The two would be arraigned later, the police said.

Source Daily Guide Ghana

NPP accuses MMT boss Maxwell Awuku in sabotage against prayer session

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the head of the Metro Mass Transit System of attempting to sabotage its inter-denominational church service scheduled for the Western region on Sunday by refusing to allow the opposition party use its buses they have already paid for.

According to the NPP, the acting managing director of the Metro Mass Transit Services, Maxwell Awuku, has ordered the Western Regional director of the company to refund monies paid for the buses to the party with no apparent reasons.

The main opposition party of Ghana on Thursday launched its inter-denominational church service which begins on Sunday, January 29 at 2pm at the Essipong Stadium in the Western region.

The essence of the service is to commit the party’s presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, all the parliamentary candidates, the party and the nation at large in the care of the Lord as the December elections fast approaches.

In order to get people to the Essipong stadium, the NPP said it paid in full a number of MMTS buses to transport party loyalists and supporters to the venue.

Speaking on Citi FM’s Saturday talk show the ‘Big Issue’, the deputy Communications Director of the NPP, Perry Okudzeto stated that upon going to the premises of the Metro Mass in the Western region for confirmation for the usage of the buses, the offices of the Metro Mass were locked before their normal closing time.

He added that information picked up from the Accra head office of the MMTS indicated that Mr Awuku ordered the Takoradi branch of the inter-city transport service to lock up the offices and refund their monies.

Meanwhile, Mr Awuku has denied sabotaging the NPP’s church service by ordering a refund of their monies paid for the usage of the buses.

He said he has no interest in the NPP praying to God and would achieve nothing by sabotaging their programme.

According to him, the NPP have not paid any money for the buses and rather negotiated for the buses to be used on credit, which he refused.

Mr. Awuku also remarked that it is surprising that the NPP has realised the importance of prayers after on several occasions castigating President Mills for turning the seat of government, the Osu Castle into a prayer camp.

Source Citifmonline Ghana

Indonesian storm death toll rises to 14

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A policeman at a scene where a driver was fatally crushed by a tree felled by a storm in Jakarta on January 25. The death toll from heavy rains and strong winds in Indonesia has risen to 14, an official said Sunday, with the victims of a tropical cyclone crushed by falling trees.

JAKARTA (AFP) – The death toll from heavy rains and strong winds in Indonesia has risen to 14, an official said Sunday, with the victims of a tropical cyclone crushed by falling trees.

“In total, 14 people died, 60 people were injured,” National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a text message to AFP.

“The 14 killed were crushed by falling trees,” he added.

More than 2,300 houses in 35 districts and cities across the central island of Java and resort destination of Bali were also damaged due to heavy rains in the last four days, Nugroho said.

The “massive” rainstorms were brought about by Tropical Cyclone Iggy in the Indian Ocean, south of Bali and the nearby Nusa Tenggara islands, he added.

“But now the Tropical cyclone Iggy has weakened and it’s moving away from Indonesia,” the official added.

Last week, the Jakarta Globe newspaper reported a ferry carrying more than 200 people, including five Australians, heading to the Gili islands off Bali nearly capsized after being caught in waves up to three metres (10 feet) high, but there were no casualties.

Storms, landslides and floods are common in Indonesia during the annual rainy season, which peaks between December and February.

AFP

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