Apostle Rexford Charles Amoah, the Senior Pastor and General Overseer of the Christ Ambassadors Baptist Ministries in Kumasi, has gone into hiding for sometime now.
The pastor, who is the Director of Ambassadors Bible College that has trained hundreds of pastors, has not been seen in recent times.
Apostle Rexford Charles Amoah
The senior pastor, who is also a royal of the Barekese stool in the Atwima Nwabiagya North district of the Ashanti Region, is a biological elder brother of Nana Amoapim Brenya 1, the Chief of Barekese.
Apostle Rexford Charles Amoah is also the Administrator of the Barekese Palace. In retrospect, on 21st August 2022, a section of the Barekese youth held a barbaric demonstration against the chief and his elders who were celebrating Akwasidae festival inside the palace at Barekese.
The agitated youth kept his stool elders and family members hostage in the palace for hours which took the Ashanti regional police command to save the life of the chief.
Apostle Rexford Charles Amoah
Since the incident happened, the pastor, who is said to be the right hand man of the chief, has been receiving life-threatening calls from the agitated youth.
It is reported that some armed persons besieged his residence but he was not available. Since then, the renowned pastor has gone into hiding. It was alleged that he was hiding in Accra for his life but when contacted, his brother said he couldn’t disclose the current location of the man of God for security reasons.
All efforts to reach him on his phones proved futile as all his phones were off.
Even though the King of Ashanti, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, sat on the matter in October 2022 and ruled in favour of the chief and his family, the life-threatening messages and calls the man of God has been receiving have never ceased.
The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, says the decision by President Akufo-Addo to release the full KPMG report is not surprising.
The report indicated that from September 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021, a bulk payment to SML covering invoices for eight months, did not have Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax (WHT) deductions amounting to GH¢13.38 million.
It stated that this contradicts GRA’s standard practice of deducting such taxes for payments to SML between June 1, 2020 and August 31, 2023.
President Akufo-Addo
Again, the report disclosed that the SML failed to fulfil its statutory obligations by neither filing returns nor remitting the taxes to GRA.
In a social media post [X], Mr Braimah stated that the President’s decision to release the report is “not surprising”.
He also urged the Presidency to better understand the exemption provisions to avoid similar situations in the future.
The Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana has rated the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), led by Kissi Agyebeng, 50 percent for exceptional performance.
Project Director of the Democracy Project and Fellow at CDD, Dr. John Osae Kwapong, in an interview with Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom on Adom FM’s Burning Issues, mentioned that before the establishment of the Special Prosecutor’s office, their corruption fight index was always high, and Ghanaians had less faith in leaders to combat it.
But he said after the office was set up, the index on corruption fight is low, and Ghanaians now have faith in the country’s efforts against corruption, thus scoring OSP 50%.
Kissi Agyebeng
“People are still going after the Special Prosecutor because they are not seeing him put people in jail, but fighting corruption does not necessarily mean jailing people,” Dr. Osae Kwapong explained.
He also indicated that the Special Prosecutor has saved the country huge sums of money through his investigations, which the country would have lost had the office not been established.
Dr. Osae Kwapong expressed surprise that, Martin Amidu is criticizing his successor.
He recalled that, when Martin Amidu resigned, he made known to Ghanaians the challenges he was facing and how frustrated he was, but does not sympathize with Lawyer Kissi Agyebeng.
“Fighting corruption is not as simple or easy as people think because if you accuse somebody of corruption, you need to gather all the necessary evidence, which sometimes takes time and can be frustrating,” he stated.
Dr. John Osae Kwapong believes the OSP is doing well and needs support from Ghanaians.
A vehicle from the convoy of President Akufo-Addo has been involved in an accident.
The accident is said to have occurred at Bunso Junction in the Eastern Region.
Reports say the vehicle was crossed by a KIA Rhino truck, resulting in the crash.
The driver of the Toyota Land Cruiser died on the spot while three other occupants of the vehicle sustained varying degrees of injury.
President Akufo-Addo who attended the funeral of former Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah, in Kumasi over the weekend was not in the convoy during the accident.
Videos on social media show the badly mangled Toyota on the side of the road, with some security personnel also spotted around.
Mr. Churchill Otieno, the Chairperson of the African Media Convention (AMC), has said that 14 journalists were killed in Africa between January 2023 and May 2024.
Mr. Otieno, who is also the President of the African Editors Forum (Taef), added that as of December 1, 2023, 67 journalists have been jailed for doing their work and charged journalists not to be silent about these issues but rather engage and collaborate to champion positive change.
He made this known during the Third African Media Convention held at the International Conference Centre, Accra.
He noted that those who died were from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria, Mali, Rwanda, and Cameroon.
He further called for fair remuneration for journalists and media professionals for their invaluable work, adding that “we must take a stand, and we must advocate for fair composition mechanisms, including equitable revenue sharing models and copyright reforms, to ensure that journalists are adequately rewarded for their contributions.”
Mr. Otieno explained that championing fair propositions would not only uphold the dignity and livelihood of journalists but also fortify the foundation of a sustainable and driving media ecosystem so that Africa could indeed tell its own story.
He said restricted access to data hindered journalists who relied on data for in-depth reporting and for investigating journalism in this digital age when social networks had become crucial sources of information.
He advocated greater transparency and accountability to ensure journalists have access to the data they need to tell the African story and to hold those in power accountable and serve the public interests.
“By advocating for access to social media data, we empower journalists to fulfil their vital role as watchdogs of society and strengthen the foundations of media, freedom, and the foundations of our democracies,” he stated.
He said artificial intelligence technologies had the capacity to enhance the journalistic workforce, automate repetitive tasks, and personalise content delivery to diverse audiences, noting that the challenges and risks associated with them, including job displacement, cannot be ignored.
He said African media professionals must engage critically with AI, ensuring that its development and employment are guided by ethical principles, transparency, and accountability.
Mr. Otieno stated that by harnessing the power of AI responsibly, the opportunities of innovation could be unlocked to improve the quality of journalism and advance media freedom across the continent.
He called for knowledge sharing and the exchange of ideas to strengthen and collectively resolve, safeguard media freedom, and promote excellence in journalism.
He stressed the need to leverage new technologies, explore innovative storytelling methods, and form partnerships that amplify the voices of the voiceless.
Vice President and 2024 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has eulogised the late Deputy Finance Minister, Dr John Ampontuah Kumah.
Speaking at his burial service on Saturday, May 18 at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, Dr Bawumia highlighted Dr Kumah’s selflessness and kind heart.
Dr Bawumia expressed the nation’s devastation at the news of Dr Kumah’s passing, noting the shock and sorrow felt across the country at the loss of such a dedicated and passionate politician.
“He was renowned for his selflessness, intellectual brilliance, and warm personality, a man blessed with a good heart. His departure has left a void, and this grief is beyond consolation. Nature has dealt us a cruel blow, taking John away in his prime,” he said.
Late John Kumah and Dr.Bawumia
Reflecting on Dr Kumah’s contributions, Dr Bawumia remarked on his remarkable legacy and achievements despite his short life.
“Indeed, we have lost a dedicated public servant. I have lost a friend and a strong supporter. We appeal and pray to the good Lord to keep John in his bosom,” he added.
The Vice President acknowledged the collective mourning and shock among Ghanaians but found solace in Mr Kumah’s enduring legacy.
He praised Dr Kumah’s political journey, which went beyond a mere career, describing him as an astute legislator and principled politician.
“His journey in Ghanaian politics transcended mere career. He was an astute legislator and a principled politician, whose dedication to advocacy and profound empathy for citizens, particularly his constituents, made him a beacon of hope and a man of the people,” Dr Bawumia said.
Parliament has finally approved the ministerial nominees submitted to the House by President Akufo-Addo.
During a debate to consider whether or not the nominees should be approved on Friday, May 17, the Minority staged a walkout, stressing that they would not be part of the process.
According to Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the caucus is not in support of the approval of the nominees.
“Mr Speaker, the Minority does not support the nominations of these ministers, because of what the country has gone through and continues to go through, including economic crisis, food insecurity, “dumsor”, and reckless borrowing.
“Businesses are struggling. While the government has asked Ghanaians to tighten their belts, the government has loosened its belts.
“Piling up ministers and deputies does not signal to the Ghanaians that the President understands the seriousness of the mess created,” he said.
Subsequently, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, suspended sitting for five minutes to allow tempers to cool.
However, only the Majority was seated when the House resumed sitting, and Mr Bagbin asked for a voice vote.
The Majority then voted in support of the approval of the ministerial nominees.
Full list of ministerial and deputy ministerial nominees
In his first major ministerial reshuffle since 2017, the President designated Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye as the Minister for Health; Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation went to Ophelia Mensah Hayford; Information is Ms. Fatimatu Abubakar, while Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister is Dakoa Newman.
He designated Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah as Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development; Sanitation and Water Resources went to Lydia Seyram Alhassan; Tourism, Arts and Culture to Andrew Egyapa Mercer, while Greater Accra Region and Oti Region went to Titus Glover and Daniel Machator respectively.
The deputy ministerial nominees are for Information, Sylvester Tetteh, MP; Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Vincent Ekow Assafuah; Communications and Digitalisation Charles Acheampong; Health Adelaide Ntim, MP and Alexander Akwasi Acquah; Works and Housing Dr. Prince Hamidu Armah.
The rest are Lands and Natural Resources, Akwasi Konadu; Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Musah Abdul Aziz Ayaba; Energy John Kobina Sanie, and Collins Adomako Mensah; Education Kingsley Nyarko; Employment and Labour Relations Festus Awuah Kwofie; Gender, Children and Social Protection Benjamin Sekyere Yeboah.
Read also : Parliament to reconvene today for an emergency sitting
Background
Parliament reconvened today for an emergency session.
The recall follows a petition from the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, requesting the session to address outstanding government business.
In a letter directed to the Speaker by the Majority leader, reference was made to Article 112(3) and Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, which authorises 15 per cent of the House members to request Parliament’s recall.
On May 20, Parliament suspended the consideration of the nomination of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State by President Akufo-Addo.
This followed an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court by MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor.
In his final address to the House before adjourning sitting on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin said the lawsuit makes it impossible for Parliament to vet and process the new ministers nominated by President Akufo-Addo.
“Hon Members, I also bring to your attention, the receipt of a process from the Courts titled Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor vrs. The Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney-General ( Suit no. J1/12/2024) which process was served on the 19th of March 2024 and an injunction motion on notice seeking to restrain the Speaker from proceeding with the vetting and approval of the names of the persons submitted by His Excellency the President until the provisions of the constitution are satisfied.
On the occasion of the celebration of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, MTN celebrates the transformative power of communication technology. At MTN Ghana, we remain committed to connecting people, enabling progress, and driving digital inclusion across our nation.
This year’s theme, “Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development,” is aligned with MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy which seeks to lead digital solutions for Africa’s and Ghana’s progress with Environment, Social and Governance at the core.
It demonstrates that technology, innovation, environmental and societal concerns are realities that cannot be overlooked if long-term sustainable socio-economic growth and prosperity is to be achieved in Africa.
It also underscores the importance of leveraging and harnessing digital innovation in the telecommunications industry to provide innovative products and services, address global issues, drive socio-economic empowerment, and boost digital and financial inclusion.
Over the last 30 years, MTN has played a crucial role in Africa and Ghana in driving digital innovation on several fronts. From enhancing access to education and healthcare, boosting economic growth through digital skills and other support programmes, innovation in the fintech and digital economy sectors, fostering strategic collaborations, infrastructure investment among others, MTN’s contributions have been far-reaching and invaluable.
As a company rooted in Africa, our journey has been one of innovation, resilience, and collaboration. We have set the pace with our innovative products, empowered communities through our corporate social investments, and paved the way for a brighter digital future through our massive infrastructure investments. Partnerships with governments, businesses and others have been at the centre of our success in areas such as financial inclusion. As we reflect on our achievements, we extend our gratitude to each stakeholder who has been part of this remarkable journey.
As we celebrate the day, we reiterate the remarks of the CEO of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, at the recent 3i Summit that “Africa’s fintech ecosystem is the engine that will drive its digital revolution and economic development in the coming years. Fintech can stimulate local economies and drive progress across the continent in several ways – financial inclusion, innovation and entrepreneurship, job creation, cross-border transactions and payments, digital identity and security, agriculture and rural development, government services, investment, and funding, as well as digital and financial literacy.”
His call for policy and legal frameworks to encourage the establishment of innovation hubs and
digital sandboxes to provide the platform for incubating, testing, and rolling out new products reinforces the need for governments and businesses to be deliberate and collaborate in their approach to sustainable development. Such hubs will be the channels for mentoring and nurturing the next generation of African entrepreneurs while providing the necessary resources, environment, and training in the digital space.
As we mark World Telecommunication Day 2024, let us reaffirm our commitment to harnessing digital innovation for sustainable development. By embracing technology as a force for good and leveraging its transformative potential, we can all work together in shaping Africa’s progress.
Today, we celebrate the power of connectivity, the promise of technology, and the unity of purpose. Together, we shape a future where every Ghanaian can thrive in the digital world and affirm our belief that “everyone deserves the benefit of a modern connected life.”
We thank all our customers for being part of our journey and wish everyone a Happy World Telecoms and Information Society Day.
End.
Media Contacts:
Adwoa Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer
At least 11 worshippers have been killed and dozens others injured after a man attacked a mosque in Nigeria’s northern Kano state, police say.
A man allegedly sprayed the mosque with petrol and locked its doors before setting it on fire, trapping about 40 worshippers, they said.
The attack was triggered by a family dispute over the sharing of inheritance.
A scene from the incident
Police say they have arrested a 38-year-old suspect.
The incident happened when people were attending morning prayers on Wednesday in Gezawa area of Kano state.
Residents said flames engulfed the mosque after the attack with worshippers heard wailing as they struggled to open the locked doors.
After hearing the explosion, neighbours rushed to help those trapped inside, local media reported.
Rescue teams including bomb experts from Kano were immediately deployed in response to the attack, a police statement said.
Police later confirmed that a bomb was not used in the attack.
The Fire Service in Kano said they were not called immediately the fire started, adding that they could have brought the situation under control much faster.
Kano Fire Service spokesman Saminu Yusuf told the BBC that they got reports of the incident after locals had put out the fire.
“In a situation like this, people are supposed to call us but we didn’t get any call from the location until after normalcy had returned,” Mr Yusuf added.
Police said the suspect confessed that his actions were part of a dispute over inheritance, claiming he was targeting some family members who were inside the mosque.
“What happened is not associated with any act of terrorism, rather it was a skirmish that arose as a result of inheritance distribution,” Umar Sanda, a local police chief, told journalists after visiting the scene.
“It is really unfortunate,” Mr Sandahe added.
“The suspect is presently with us and is giving out useful information.”
Initial reports said one worshipper had died from the attack but the death toll later rose after more victims died while receiving treatment at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano.
More victims, including children, are still receiving treatment at the hospital, according to police.
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has disclosed that his mother, the late Asantehemaa Nana Afia Serwaa Kobi Ampem IV, and his late uncle, Asantehene Prempeh II, agreed to hide his royal status as a potential Asantehene in the early days of his childhood life.
Describing himself as a lucky child, Otumfuo said, “My mother Afia Kobi Ampem was contemplating divorce with my father Boakye Dankwah because he was womanising, but my late uncle, Osei Agyemang Prempeh, also known as Nana Kwame Kyeretwie, insisted my mother should continue the marriage at the time they had separated because he had not achieved what he was looking for in their marriage. The two reunited and the Lord blessed them with me.”
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,Asantehene
“My mother again told my uncle she could not continue the marriage with my father because he was still womanising. My uncle then responded, ‘Afia you have my blessing for your decision; after all, I’ve achieved what I was looking for from him, that is, a male child named Barima Kwaku Duah,” he added.
Otumfuo continued, “My late uncle then adopted me four years after my birth to stay with my uncle Kwadwo Bonsu, the Hiahene Oheneba Mensah Bonsu. I didn’t know it was a ‘conspiracy’ between my mother and my uncle to hide my identity from me just for me to be cultured and also to take care of my educational needs. My uncle didn’t want me to stay in the royal palace to go through any royalty process. So my uncle Mensah Bonsu took me as his biological son. He made me aware that I’m the next after his son Afoduo. No one knew I wasn’t his biological son until recently. He sponsored my education at Division School.”
Otumfuo disclosed this while speaking at his 74th birthday celebration thanksgiving church service at the St. Cyprians Anglican Church in Kumasi and as part of activities marking his 25th anniversary celebration on the Asanteman Golden Stool.
He said he was prevented from coming to Manhyia Palace. “They just didn’t want me to know about Manhyia Palace. My mother also hid herself from me. She only came to my late uncle’s house purposely to visit her brother but not to have anything to do with me,’’ he added.
Otumfuo further said that after completing basic education at Division School at Asante New Town, he was denied the opportunity to further his secondary school at Prempeh College in Kumasi.
“My uncle secured admission at Prempeh College and the current Adontenhene’s mother had bought all my things in line with the prospectus the school gave out. One day my uncle told me he had changed his mind. He would send me to a different school. He would not allow me to go to school at Prempeh at the time all my friends at Ashtown were preparing to go to Prempeh and I wanted to be there. KO Asafo Adjei, Mark Addo, and Kwabena Poku, among others, were all there so we all wanted to be there as well. So I landed at Sefwi Wiewso Secondary School SEWASS,” he recounted.
“Mr. Osei who was our headmaster told my uncle his friend who was a disciplinarian at Opoku Ware had been transferred to Sefwi Wiewso so that’s where he would send me. All this was a ploy between my mother and the Asantene Nana Agyemang Prempeh at Manhyia Palace. So they said the Sefwi Wiewso Paramount Chief is my son. Take him there and he would provide all his needs. I went there and successfully completed my secondary education,” he added.
He explained, “When I gained admission to study accountancy at IPS in Accra, I was sent to stay with my father’s brother Asafo Boakye in Accra to take care of me. After IPS education, I left the country for the UK for further studies. Outside Ghana, I stayed with my brother Foduo Nana Bodu who also played a major role in my schooling and work life there. All these were the doing of Hiahene because I didn’t know anything about my mother’s side until the death of my uncle through which I became Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the sixteen occupant of the Golden Stool. I’m happy to see my class 2 teacher Ms. Rose Asiedua Ampeh here and all my old-time friends whom I have not seen many years ago.”
Otumfuo questioned why his mother and uncle took him through all these and what really was their motives.
He concluded by saying, “If we are thanking God today for how far he has brought me, we should know that in the beginning, my family didn’t want me to boast about my royalty so it was hidden from me. I was not pampered. I was trained and cultured for today’s tasks and responsibilities way back because they knew what was ahead of me right from my childhood.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/ Isaac Justice Bediako
