A reliable source within the Ashanti Caucus of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs),has whisppered into the ears of The New Trust Newspaper that the caucus have endorsed Hon.Dr.Nana Ayew Afriye the Member of Parliament (MP) for Effiduaae Asokore as the perfect replacement of Hon Cecelia Abena Dapaah as Sanitation and Water Resources Minister.
The caucus is expected to forward or communicate their endorsement to the President, Nana Akufo-Addo who per the Constitution has the sole prerogative to appoint and disappoint Ministers for his kind consideration.
The MPs knowing very well that President Akufo-Addo will definitely do consultations before appointing Hon.Abena Dapaah’s replacement for Sanitation Ministry decided to settled on Hon.Ayew Afriye as their Proposed Person for a perfect replacement ahead of time,the source explained.
Hon.Cecelia Abena Dapaah who has been described as one of hardworking and competent Ministers under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration resigned on Saturday,22nd July,2023 following the public out cry of her involvement in criminal case filed at a circuit Court in Accra against five(5) accused persons charged with stealing of various sums of money from her Residents at Abelemkpe,Accra.
To this end,the Ashanti MPs according to credible source have started lobbying hard to convince Nana Addo to consider appointing Hon Dr.Nana Ayew Afriye as Hon.Cecelia Abena Dapaah’s replacement.
The Effiduaae- Asokore MP has been described by his colleagues’ MPs as another competent and down to earth person to continue the good work done by Hon Abena Dapaah at the Sanitation Ministry.
The MPs, according to our source said aside the Ashanti factor and competency of Hon Nana Ayew Afriye,he also has good human relations with all manner of people .
They’re therefore appealing to Nana Addo to consider their colleague to continue from Hon Abena Dapaah’s numerous achievements at the Sanitation Ministry.
Brief profile of Hon Dr Nana Ayew Afriye
Afriye was born on 22 January 1978 and hails from Effiduase in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. In 2004, he had his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Ghana and also a Post Graduate Certificate in Health Economics from the Oxford University.
Source: tntnewspapergh.com
A total of two hundred and fifty-second cycle institutions in the country have registered to participate in the 2023 edition of the National Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Project competition dubbed “STEMNNOVATION”.
The competition officially starts with the submission of project videos from all contesting institutions nationwide on 25th to 29th September 2023 after training staff, regional coordinators, coaches and their students, and judges between 7th June to 8th August 2023.
Out of the 244 contesting institutions, 123 of them will be submitting innovative projects in urban gardening, 69 in the flexible use of electricity and 52 submitting videos on clean water projects.
Eastern and Ashanti regions submitted the highest number of contesting schools with 46 entries each while Western North region registered only three entries for the competition.
Speaking to the media in Accra on Friday, the Deputy Coordinator of the Free Senior High School Secretariat, Miss Afrah Mensah Sika, stated that the competition will see all the participating schools locking horns with their creative potential in finding solutions to challenges confronting their immediate community or the country.
Dr.Osei Yaw Adutwum in a group photograph with stakeholders
She indicated that all the participating institutions are current beneficiaries of the Free Senior High Programme and would use the contest to assess what they have been learning at school, at home or outside school with their peers in their societies.
Miss Afra Sika explained that Pre-judging and shortlisting of the top 20 in each project category will be done between 2nd and 5th October followed by the online judging of the top 20 in each category from 9th to 13th October 2023
The Deputy Coordinator stated that after the online of the top 20, those who would qualify for the grand finale pitch camp in Accra from 24th October to prepare for the ultimate finals scheduled to take place on 26th October 2023.
She hinted that each institution would be represented by two students making their presentations of their projects adding that this year’s edition of the event would be more competitive.
This year’s competition which has the theme “Future–Proofing Socio-Economic Development in Ghana through STEM Education” creates an opportunity for all Senior High as well as Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions to showcase their prowess in innovative projects.
Background
Last year, a total of 200 schools submitted videos of their projects meant for the contest but only 97 of the schools qualified after going through vetting by the team of experts put together for that purpose.
The Kumasi Academy Senior High School won the maiden edition of the competition after scoring 24.6 points to beat Pope John Senior High and Seminary and the enterprising Worawora Senior High School with 24.4 and 23.8 points to place 1st and 2nd runner-up respectively.
For emerging winners, Kumasi Academy SHS took home a trophy, a laptop, a printer and a Gh12,000 cash prize.
END
The National Democratic Congress announce with deep sorrow the death of the Hon. Dr. Sherry Hanni Ayittey, Vice Chairperson of the NDC, a former Minister and a stalwart of the Provisional National Defence Council.
The death of the hardworking and selfless Hon. Dr. Sherry Ayittey has robbed the party, the country, and her family, of yet another elder whose sterling contributions to nation building span well over a generation in the history of Ghana.
We in the NDC are particularly devastated by this sudden and unexpected blow, and at the appropriate time, we shall demonstrate our gratitude to her for her love of nation and party.
We console ourselves and her family and request for strength and fortitude for her family and friends as preparations are made towards her funeral.
Auntie Sherry, rest in peace.
ISSUED ON SATURDAY 22ND JULY, 2023.
A short ceremony has been performed to kick start the Government’s aggressive hospitals project dubbed “Agenda 111 at the Asokore Mampong Municipality within Greater Kumasi.
The Municipal Chief Executive ( MCE) for the area,Hon Kennedy Kwasi Kankam announced this in a short message.
The hard working MCE who was recently adjudged Most outstanding MMDCE in Ashanti region writes “Agenda 111 project in Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly within the airport enclave has kicked start yesterday.(Friday,21st July,2023) Demolition of all unauthorised structures on the project site will begin soon. We urge all to cooperate with us, especially those found in the working area.
May the good Lord protect and help all of us.
Help to make Ghana great and strong.
Some Officials at the Site of Agenda 111 hospital project
In another development, paving of the new administration block of Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly is progressing steadily and smoothly. Almost 65% of the entire compound has been completed. May the good Lord be our helper, … And make our nation great and strong.
Ongoing laying of Pavement blocks at the new Assembly block
Ms Dapaah was first appointed as Minister for Aviation by President Akufo-Addo in January 2017. She was moved by the President to the Sanitation and Water Resources ministry
Photo of Wilberforce Asare Wilberforce Asare Send an emailJuly 22, 2023 4,634
Minister for Sanitation and Water Resource, Cecilia Abena Dapaah has tendered in her resignation letter to President Akufo-Addo, today Saturday 22 July 2023, following a story of her involvement in a criminal case instituted at the Circuit Court against five accused persons who are charged with the offence of stealing various sums of money from her home at Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra.
Ms Dapaah was first appointed as Minister for Aviation by President Akufo-Addo in January 2017. She was moved by the President to the Sanitation and Water Resources ministry in a reshuffle and reappointed to the same portfolio when President Akufo-Addo begun his second term in office.
Ms Cecilia Dapaah, indicates in her letter that her decision to resign from office is motivated by the fact that she does not want her personal issues to become “a hindrance on the work of government.” She also notes that she will cooperate fully with all state agencies who may seek to engage her in any investigations.
“Since yesterday, Friday, July 21, 2023, social and traditional media have been full of stories about a court case involving a theft that took place last year in the home I live with my husband and daughter. The stories sought to suggest that I own various huge sums of foreign currencies and millions of Ghana cedis which have been stolen from my home.
“Whereas I can state emphatically that those figures do not represent correctly what my husband and I reported to the Police, I am very much aware of the import of such stories around someone in my position. I am resigning therefore because I do not want this matter to become a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time” her resignation letter read.
“I intend to cooperate fully with all state agencies to enable them fully establish the facts. I have no doubt whatsoever that at the end of the processes, it will be fully established that I have conducted myself with integrity during my period in public service and I will be fully exonerated from all the allegations that have filled the public domain in the past 24 hours.
“I thank you my dear, Mr President, for the honour done me in giving me the opportunity to serve our beautiful nation Ghana” Ms Cecilia Dapaah further stated in her letter of resignation.
Noticeable inconsistencies
Prior to her resignation, Ms Dapaah issued a statement noting that the reportage on the stolen monies at her residence by two house helps is fraught with noticeable inconsistencies between what is being discussed in the public domain and the crux of the original complaint on the matter she filed.
“I refer to publications dated 21/8/2023 suggesting that I own one million dollars, three hundred thousand Euros and millions of cedis which have been stolen in my house.
“There are noticeable inconsistencies between what is being discussed in the public domain and the thrust of the original complaint on the matter. I am taking steps to examine the inconsistencies and will provide detailed response in the coming days,” the statement read.
Theft case
News of five persons charged with the offence of stealing various sums of money from the home of Ms Cecilia Dapaah went viral following a publication on the front page of The Chronicle newspaper on Friday 21st July 2023.
Subsequently, an amended charge sheet of the case of the Republic versus Patience Botwe, Sarah Agyei, Benjamin Sowah, Kwaku Botwe and Malik Dauda emerged.
The five accused persons according to the charge sheet, are charged with ten (10) counts of Conspiracy to Commit Crime to wit: Stealing Contrary to Section 23 (1) and 124 (1) of the Criminal Offence Act of 1960, Act 29, Stealing Contrary to Section 124 (1) of the Criminal Offence Act of 1960, Act 29, and Dishonestly Receiving: Contrary to Section 146 of the of the Criminal Offence Act of 1960, Act 29.
Brief facts of the case
According to the brief facts attached to the charge sheet, the complainants in the case are Daniel Osei Kuffour and his wife Cecilia Abena Dapaah who resides at Abelemkpe, Accra.
First accused (A1) Patience Botwe @ Maabena was a house help to the complainants. Second accused (A2) Sarah Agyei is currently unemployed and a former house help to the complainants. Third accused (A3) Benjamin Sowah is a boyfriend to A1. Fourth accused (A4) Kwaku Botwe is A1’s father and Fifth accused (A5) Malik Dauda is A1’s former boyfriend.
Sometime in June 2023, the complainants reported a theft of cash and some personal effects as indicated on the face of the charge sheet. Prior to that A1 who was a house help to the complainants was caught to have opened and entered the bedroom of the complainants with a duplicate key.
Upon intelligence, A1 and A3 were arrested at their hide out in Tamale in the Northern Region. A search conducted in their room revealed $40,000 USD and GH¢72,619.70. Police investigation revealed that, sometime in October 2022, complainant Daniel Osei Kuffour returned from town to observe that their bedroom which was locked had been opened and heard an unusual noise therein.
He entered the room and found A1 hiding behind the door therein. Subsequently, the complainants detected theft of properties indicated on the face of the charge sheet. Further investigations revealed that A1 used part of the stolen money to buy a three-bedroom house at Amrahia at a cost of Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000) UDS.
The following brand-new items which A1used some of the stolen money to buy were also retrieved from the said house: One double decker refrigerator, one television set, one washing machine, one chest freezer, one gas cooker, one water dispenser and related items.
A1 and A3 also indicated that they used some of the stolen money to buy Hyundai Elantra with registration number GE 9771-23 at a cost of Eighty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢80,000.00). A1 also gave One Hundred and Eighty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢180,000.00) to A3 who used same to purchase an unregistered Honda Civic car with DV plate number 4903-23 which same have been retrieved.
Investigation also disclosed that A1 and A3 used parts of the stolen money to rent a three-bed room apartment at Tamale at a total cost of One Hundred and Five Thousand Six Hundred Cedis (GH¢105,600.00) for a period of two years.
Additionally, A1 and A3 used part of the stolen money to rent a store room at Tamale at a total cost of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Ghana Cedis (120,000.00). A1 admitted the offence and mentioned A2 as her accomplice to the effect that, when they were working in the complainants’ house, she used to keep watch of the main gate for A2 to go into the complainants’ room to steal their money after which they share the spoil.
A2 was subsequently arrested from her hideout in Budumburam a suburb of Kasoa for investigation. Investigation further disclosed that A2 used part of the stolen money to build a three bedroom self-contain house at Budumburam.
A1 also gave Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢50,000.00) out of the stolen money to A4, who admitted the preceding fact during interrogation. A2 also gave One Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢100,000.00) out of the stolen money to A5 who also admitted same.
Political history
Cecilia Abena Dapaah is a Ghanaian politician and a member of the New Patriotic Party. She is a former Member of Parliament for the Bantama Constituency and previously served as the Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works, and Housing.
She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Linguistics in 1979 from the University of Ghana. She holds a certificate in leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a postgraduate certificate in International Development Studies from the University of Oslo.
She was a development worker and a special assistant to President John Kufour. She was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Ghana Cocoa Processing Company in 2005 and moved from the board to become the Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works, and Housing in 2005.
She also served as a substantive minister from 2007 till 2008 when she contested and won the seat of the Bantama Constituency. She served as a Member of Parliament from 2009 to 2013.
Cecilia Abena Dapaah has served on the committee of Employment, Foreign Affairs, Works and Housing, Social Welfare, and Youth, Special Budget, and the Advisory Committee to the Speaker of the Parliament. President Akufo-Addo first nominated Cecilia Abena Dapaah for the position of Minister of Aviation on 7 January 2017. Source:Asaaseonline
The Presiding Member(PM) of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) who doubles as the Assembly member for Krofrom East Electoral area,Hon.Patrick Kwame Frimpong has submitted Proposal for the consideration to ensure Fair and smooth District level and Unit Committee Elections expected to be conducted this year.
The Proposal which has been served to all key stakeholders dated 14th July,2023 entitled” PROPOSAL ON ASSEMBLY AND UNIT COMMITTEE ELECTIONS”.
The full Proposal reads” Following the impending District Assembly Members Election,I wish to make some proposals to facilitate the process as follows;
a.The Contestants should be arranged chronologically on the ballot paper accompanied by their pictures and to allow for easy identification and voting by the electorates.
b.On the Unit Committee Elections,I proposed that Six(6) or more contestants are arranged on the ballot paper and the first five(5) with the highest number of votes in order of merit take the position.Instead of going through the current process.
c.On the Proposal to hold the District Assembly elections in October this year,I wish to remind us that the last election was held on 19th December,2019 and the Assembly sworn-in on 23rd January 2020.So from inference,the Four (4) year term should expire in January,2024.Scheduling the election for October,2023 would be ba little too early in advance of the expiration.
Hon Patrick Kwame Frimpong
d.Since the total electorates in an Electoral area are mandated to vote on Unit Committee Elections I am proposing that the name should be amended to Electoral area Committee or Assistants.
It is my hope that these proposals would be given due consideration to ensure ba fair and smooth Process in promotion of District Local Government Election in Ghana.
Counting on your utmost consideration.
Thank you.
Signed:Hon.Patrick Kwame Frimpong
Assembly member for Krofrom East Electoral area/Presiding Member,KMA
0244227222/0270050755
The Proposal letter
DISTRIBUTION LIST:
THE MINISTER
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND DECENTRALIZATION
ACCRA – GHANA
THE CHAIRPERSON
ELECTORAL COMMISSION
ACCRA – GHANA
THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTORAL SERVICES
ELECTORAL COMMISSION
ACCRA – GHANA
THE DIRECTOR
INSTITUTE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT STUDIES
ACCRA – GHANA
THE PRESIDENT
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ACCRA – GHANA
THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR
ELECTORAL COMMISSION
KUMASI – ASHANTI REG.
ON JULY 5, 2023, The Vice President, His Excellency Dr. Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia, began his campaign activities in the Ashanti Region.
The two-week long campaign received massive endorsement and recorded huge success from all quarters of the society, including the rank and file of the party, traditional authorities, religious bodies and civil society groups within and outside the region.
The DMB Campaign Team would therefore like to express its profound gratitude to each and everyone for their immense contribution towards the successful execution of this laudable project.
We express special appreciation to Chiefs and Elders who made time out of their busy schedule to join the meeting of the Vice President and party delegate in their traditional areas .
Special thanks goes to religious leaders; Pastors, Imams and Church Leaders who supported the team with prayers and spiritual intercessions.
Many thanks also goes to Council of Elders, Patrons , Founding fathers alive,members of the Regional Executive Committee, Constituency Chairmen and Executives, our able and hardworking delegates who defied all natural circumstances to support the Vice President and his team during the campaign.
We also wish to thank Members of Parliament for their unflinching support and solidarity.
Our appreciation will never be complete without the mentioning of the indefatigable hardworking Ashanti Regional executives led by the able Regional Chairman, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi, for the show of leadership and tenacity.
Last but not least, the Campaign Team also expresses thanks to Nana Nkansah Boadu Ayeboafo, The Agric Nzemaahene, for his invaluable support to the cause.
A twenty seven year old mechanic, Abdul Rahman Abdullah has been decleared wanted by Muslim community leaders at Sabon Zongo, a suburb of Kumasi for allegedly sodomisng teenagers in his vicinity.
Abdullah is said to have been abusing his victims secretly after which he gives them a token to keep their ordeal to themselves.
Sabon Zongo which is predominantly made up of Muslims is located in the Asawase Constituency of the Ashanti Region.
Islam is widely known as a religion that frowns on homosexuality and for that matter an abomination for Muslims to be involved in the immoral act
According to the Chief Imam of the community, Alhaji Yusuf Seini, the Muslim leadership gathered that the culprit had been having canal knowledge of teenagers in the area.
He explained that one of his victims reported his ordeal to his mum who became furious and confronted the culprit’s family.
The Imam further alleged that the family of the culprit aided him to abscond from the community when they realised that his cover had been blown.
Mr Yakubu Seidu, the victim’s father said he would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion even if it takes the victim 100 years to return.
“I can’t forgive Abdullah for doing that to my son because the boy is now traumatised due to the stigmatisation he is suffering in the community,” he noted
Mma Lawratu Tahiru, Mother of the culprit said her son was currently in the United States of America (USA) seeking asylum, and pleaded with the family of the victim to forgive source:By Muyid Deen Suleman
Hon Joana Gyan Cudjoa , NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Amenfi Central Constituency in the Western Region has fulfilled a promise she made prior to May 13th Parliamentary Primaries.
The female political Messiah is officially inviting every single delegate in the area to a special thanksgiving party as part of her promise during her campaign that if she wins the 13th May NDC primaries she will celebrate her birthday with all delegates in a grand style.
The gargantuan Thanksgiving Party will be held on the 5th of August,2023 at exactly 10am at Manso Amenfi DA School.
This is because 7th May, 2023 was her birthday but then made a solemn promised that should she win the primaries she will celebrate the birthday with all delegates.
True to her words after winning with that wide margin she now invites every delegate to come and celebrate with her for being the first woman to have won primaries in the NDC and by extension the soon to be first ever female Member of parliament for Amenfi Central.
This massive victory is a glory and hope to every single woman in Amenfi central and across Ghana and the world that indeed women are capable of doing great things.
This is yet another promise she has fulfilled during her campaigns in the primaries hence come , sit meet and greet , chat, drink, dine, dance with the gargantuan lady, the Small Gadafi, the investor, and the first woman to lead NDC in Amenfi central.
There shall be special performance by several renowned artists such as Keche global music duo as main artist , Sherifa Gunu music and a host of several great musicians in Ghana .
Hon Joana Gyan Cudjoe intends to change the face of politics in Amenfi central to focus in giving back to society, social welfare programs , job opportunities and general development.
As a philanthropist, humanitarian ambassador, social worker, investor and mother for all it is in her dream to see her people getting access to better opportunities and improved welfare.
To this end she extends her invitation to everyone to support her in this journey.
