Court clears Kofi Amoabeng of fraud

Date published: November 10, 2014

By Mohammed Awal

awalm19@gmail.com

The Human Rights Division of the High Court has exonerated Mr. Prince Kofi Amoabeng, President of UT Holdings, of fraud charges brought against him by Nana Otua Swayne.

Nana Otua Swayne, who is the complainant, in her suit claimed that Mr. Kofi Amoabeng had fraudulently acquired her property at Number 23 Ringway Estate in Accra, after she released the title of the said property to him.

But, the court, presided over by Justice Kofi Essel Mensah, ruled that the complainant, at the time of filing the suit, had long ceased to be the owner of the said property, and, therefore, had no lawful claim to the property, to be defrauded of it.

Dismissing the case, the judge said from the totality of the evidence before him, he found that the complaints against the respondent (Kofi Amoabeng) by Nana Otua (complainant) could not be regarded as criminal in law to warrant prosecution on a charge of fraud.

He, therefore, ruled that those chargers were baseless and unjustifiable in law, describing it as a charge brought in bad faith.

In his response to the ruling at a press conference Wednesday in Accra, Mr. Kofi Amoabeng said he was deeply satisfied with the ruling, as it was a vindication of “my position of innocence.”

“After years of infringing on my human rights and reputation, justice has finally prevailed,” he stated excitedly, pledging to be guided in all his activities by the values of integrity and respect.

Background

In January 2013, Nana Otua Swayne filed a case against Mr. Prince Kofi Amoabeng, alleging the fraudulent acquisition of her property through the release of the title deed of the said property to one Mr. Alexander Adjei (now deceased) to secure a loan from the HFC Bank.

Nana Otua, in October 2005, decided to sell her house at Number 23 Ringway Estate in Accra, and entered into a sale agreement with the late Alexander Adjei, where the payment price was to be made in installments.

The terms of the agreement were that the property should pass to the purchaser on actual completion of payment. Consequently, UT Financial Services released the title deed to the purchaser upon payment of the full purchase price, as agreed.

However, in her statement of claim, the plaintiff, Nana Otua Swayne, said after negotiations, it was agreed that the selling price was US$280,000 US, payable in three installments – in October, November and December respectively.

However, the UT boss suggested that since she (Owusuaa) was relocating to the United Kingdom, and the purchase price was not going to be paid in full, he (UT boss) was ready to advance a loan of GH¢25,000 with a reduced interest rate of 6 percent, so that when the November installment payment comes, it will be deducted at source.

Nana Otua also indicated in her writ that in furtherance of the loan, Mr. Amoabeng collected the indenture as collateral, but failed to provide the loan as promised.

The lawyer for plaintiff advised her that since she was going be out of Ghana for more than 90 days, during which time full payment of the purchase price would have been made, she should execute a “Deed of Assignment” so that upon completion of payments the transfer of ownership would be smooth.

But, after the plaintiff signed the Deed of Assignment, she claimed, her lawyer handed over the said Deed to the UT boss.

On October 14, 2005, the UT boss sent the Indenture and Deed of Assignment to the Lands Commission and registered the property in the name of the late Alexander Adjei.

The statement further explained that on the same day, the UT boss mortgaged the said property to Mr. Asare Akuffo for a facility, and on the same day the plaintiff was given the first installment of US$100,000.

In November 2005, no payment was made, as well in as December 2005, thereby constituting a breach of contract of sale, and then in February, an amount of £40,000 was purportedly paid as part of the contract of sale.

“To the horror of the female chief, she learnt that even though the UT boss never advanced the loan to her, he purportedly absorbed as much as US$80,000 being the supposed third and final installment, claiming a fraudulent interest of GH¢60,000 on the un-awarded loan of GH¢25,000.

She also alleged that Mr. Amoabeng used her property to secure an unknown facility from HFC, which he had used extensively all these years.

Naa Otua Sawyne, in her writ, was seeking a relief of recovery of possession of her house, H/no. 23 Ringway Estate, Osu, from Mr. Amoabeng, recovery of her indenture from him, and award of general damages for the wrongful and unlawful use of her indenture for monetary gain.

Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=82347

‘Chinese chairs mockery of Mahama’

Date published: November 10, 2014

By Mohammed Awal
awalm19@gmail.com
 
The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has descended heavily on Parliament for importing Chinese furniture to refurbish its chamber.

At a news conference themed: “Corruption everywhere-John Mahama must resign” yesterday, AFAG said the move by Parliament to resort to the Chinese to refurbish the chamber was disgraceful and a mockery of the President’s call on Ghanaians to patronize home made products.

“The renovation of the chamber of Parliament at an inflated cost, which undermines the local industries is disgraceful …it’s a disgrace…it’s a disgrace by the institution who makes laws for this country –an institution which superintends over regulations and promoting the interest of the public,” said AFAG’s Chairman, Dr. Nana AyewAfriyie.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Agorwu Furniture, Samuel Kwame Diabo, also echoes AFAG’s concerns. He told CITI Business News that the conduct of Parliament was disrespectful and a way to satisfy their pay masters.

“To be very honest, we are totally disappointed in those people who took that particular decision to import foreign furniture to our Parliament House,” he added.

Locals lack the capacity

However, the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Alfred Kwame Agbesi thinks otherwise. According to him, it was impossible for a local company to produce the over 300 furniture pieces per the limited time available.

“It is not the issue that because they say we should use Made in Ghana goods, then if you want to buy 300 furniture at the end of this week, you must go from shop to shop,” he stated, boasting that “We needed over 300 chairs and 300 tables before resuming sitting and now which furniture company in Ghana would have given us this quantity of furniture within this short time?”

Locals have the capacity

Debunking HonAgbesi’s explanation that local furniture producers have not gotten the needed capacity to produce 300 tables and chairs within the limited time of 3 months, Samuel Kwame Diabo said “Our labour force is about 150 and we would have been able to deliver their order and even beyond.

“To be very honest, Agorwu is very well equipped and we have a few other companies in the system that are very good and when we put our heads together, we should be able to put our Parliament in good shape, with our own local products,” he noted.

Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=82338

Wey Gey Hey ‘74 group launches foundation

Date published: November 6, 2014
By Mohammed Awalawalm19@gmail.com

Wesley Girls’ 1974 batch has launched the ‘WGHS 74 Group Foundation’ that seeks to mobilize resources for the advancement of the education of children, especially girls in Ghana.

Apart from using the foundation’s resources in advancing the education of the girl-child, the group said that some of the resources would also be channeled into the provision of facilities for the school and also improving teachers’ welfare.

This was announced to the media at the launch of the Foundation –WGHS ‘74 year Group Foundation, yesterday in Accra.

The President of the 1974 batch, Esther A.N. Cobbah, who also doubles as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of STRATCOMM-AFRICA said the establishment of the foundation to support the school’s activities was a way of saying thank you after 40 years.

She said the vision of Wesley Girls High School was to produce self-confident individuals who are capable of taking the challenges of a fast–changing world in their stride, “whilst making the most of every opportunity for self-fulfillment and service to mankind,” thus the ultimate goal of the ‘74 batch was to champion excellence in Ghana.

According to her, there were still many girls who needed training and education, hence the establishment of the foundation to contribute to the education of brilliant but needy girls from all parts of the country at Wesley Girls.

“Invest in the lives of these girls –they are being abused because of their excellence…let’s invest in our girls and for the development of Ghana,” appealed Ms. Cobbah.

The Foundation  is expected to raise GHS100,000 by January 2015, stated Ms. Cobbah, noting that the fund raising would be done through a variety of activities and one such activity would be an ‘Afternoon jump’ to be organized on Friday 5^th December, 2014, at the Barclays Club House, under the theme: “Dance Down Memory Lane.”

Professor Afua Hesse of the 1969 batch, in her keynote address said the women worldwide are entitled to and “must be given equal opportunities in education, politics, jobs, access to health services and decision-making, relating to various family, community, national and even international matters.

“Therefore, education of children is very critical to the development of the country,” said Prof. Hesse, observing that it goes a long way in reducing child mortality, early marriage, fighting poverty and improving health.

The headmistress of Wesley Girls, Mrs. Betty Dzokoto congratulated the 1974 batch for their benevolence, saying “such commitments are awesome”, as many more would benefit from that novelty.

How to contribute
There is a bank account in the name of the foundation where donations can be credited. Cheque payment in the name of WGHS ‘74 year Group is acceptable.

Accounts Details are as follows:
Account Name:    The WGHS 74 Year Group Foundation
Bank Name     :    UT Bank
Account Number: 000126202037018

Foreign Account
Account Name:     The WGHS 74 Year Group Foundation
Bank Name:          UT Bank
Currency:              US Dollar ($)                                                                                                              
Account Number: 1071262037035
 Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=82311

Christian Council fights against filth

Date published: October 27, 2014
By Mohammed Awal  awalm19@gmail.com
The General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong has appealed to Ghanaians to support efforts by the Ministry of Local Government & Rural Development to rid the country of filth, which has resulted in the worst Cholera outbreak ever recorded in thirty years.

As at 13th October, this year, according to Dr. Emmanuel Dzotsie, a public health specialist with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), in an interview with The Chronicle said: “Cumulatively a total of twenty-two thousands, eighty-seven cases (22,087) were recorded, including one hundred and twenty-four (124) deaths, giving it a case fatality rate of 0.8% -involving 107 districts across the ten regions.” 

Dr. Opuni-Frimpong told The Chronicle in a telephone interview yesterday that the initiative by the Minister of Local Government & Rural Development, Mr. Julius Debrah is “very much welcomed” and that the CCG identifies fully with it.

He said the country is grappled with sanitation issues which should be seen as a national canker that “affects all of us,” noting that “we us leaders of the Christian Council identify with what the minister is doing because it is good and godly.”

The General Secretary of the CCG urged Christian leaders to mobilize their members to observe the NSD which comes off this Saturday, he said physically the leader must also be in attendance.

 Prosecute sanitation bye-laws flouters

On October 16, 2014, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development launched the National Sanitation Day (NSD).

The day would be observed every first Saturday of every month across the country, and the first of this will be on Saturday November 1, 2014.

The NSD seeks to encourage the public to take greater responsibility at improving their environment and ensure that laws promoting good sanitation are respected.

The Vice-president of Ghana, Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, who launched the NSD, themed: “Environmental Sanitation, a shared responsibility,” called on the metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) to prosecute people who flout sanitation bye-laws.

A move in the right direction

Dr. Opuni-Frimpong said the Minister (Julius Debrah) deserves recognition for moving the country towards the right direction to address sanitation problems.

According to Dr. Opuni-Frimpong, the minister’s action should not go un-noticed, adding that “if we have a leader who says that let’s solve this problem –for us it’s a welcoming news.”

He urged Christians to identify themselves with the laudable idea of ridding the country of filth as initiated by the minister and support him to succeed. Education key to success Dr. Opuni-Frimpong noted that intensive public education would be very important in ensuring that Ghanaians do not flout the sanitation bye-laws.

In view of this, MLGRD signed a memorandum of Understanding with the information service Department (ISD) to embark on an “intensive educational campaign” throughout the country to sensitize the public on the need to ensure a clean environment.

Per the MOU, ISD is expected to deploy its tools, logistics and personnel within all MMDAs in the country, in an effort to complement other initiatives, through massive educational campaigns.

First reported in June 2014 in the Accra Metropolis, the Cholera outbreak in Ghana is rapidly becoming the deadliest disease ever witnessed in about 30 years.
Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=81933

Buah pleads with consumers to conserve energy

Date published: October 28, 2014
By Mohammed Awal
awalm19@gmail.com
As Ghana’s exploitable hydro power capacity is fast declining, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum (MoEP) has appealed to Ghanaians to develop the habit of energy conservation.

Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah, the sector Minister made this appeal yesterday at the launch of an energy conservation guidelines for Senior High Schools in Ghana titled: “Your Guide to Energy Conservation: Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Environment.”

This is part of the MoEP’s National awareness campaign on energy efficiency and Conservation

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah

Speaking at the ceremony, he said the exploitable hydro capacity yet to be developed stands at 1,200 Megawatts –thus forcing government to resort to more expensive ways of power generation just to meet the “ever growing demand for electricity –which is growing at more than 10% per annum.”

He, however, assured that the government was working very hard to solve the power rationing conundrum that Ghanaians have been experiencing over the last two years.
Notwithstanding the efforts made by government at resolving the power crisis, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah believes more could also be done by the public to save the situation through the adherence of the energy efficiency and conservation guidelines which would go a long way to save about 200MW of power that is being wasted annually.

“Whilst energy shortages and the growing demand can be addressed by adding generation capacities to the system, energy efficiency and conservation presents the best means of making energy available to the people for all economic activities,” he noted

“Use the right appliances and more importantly we have to be very judicious in the use of electricity –turn it off when we don’t need it,” he urged.

The book
The book, titled –“Your Guide to Energy Conservation: Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Environment,” is a reader friendly book produced under the auspices of the MoEP, as part of its efforts to create awareness amongst the youth on issues of energy conservation.

The book, which had been prepared for usage among students of Senior High Schools (SHS) in Ghana was launched at the Labone SHS in Accra yesterday.

It presents tips on the need and methods of energy efficiency and conservation in the home. The book will be distributed to all SHSs throughout the coun

‘Dr. Pink Sheet’ Partners Nana

Date published: October 27, 2014
By Mohammed Awal
awalm19@gmail.com
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has once more put his trust in Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia to aid him in his search for the formula to reach the Jubilee House.

Yesterday, the man who has been given a fresh mandate to lead the Elephant Family into the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary elections met the key players in the party and named Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, as his running mate into the elections.

In 2008 and 2012, and again in 2012, Nana Akufo Addo put his trust in Dr. Bawumia, who was the star witness in the NPP electoral petition before the Supreme Court that took eight months to prosecute.

After convincing party authorities of his running mate’s credentials, Nana Akufo-Addo assured Ghanaians that the NPP was ready to wrest power from the incompetent National Democratic Congress (NDC) with “Mahamudu by my side.”

Eulogizing Dr. Bawumia’s astuteness as an economist and a politician, Nana Addo said his running mate’s credentials as a top notch economist, were omnipresent.

These perceptions, he told the leadership of the party, have been reinforced by his “analytical work and performance in this sector in the past five years which has earned him the sobriquet of Dr. Prophet.

“It has been a joy to see him blossom as a consummate politician and win the affection of Ghanaians… and we all know how the nation took to his performance in the witness box in the Supreme Court during the historic election petition… Dr. Pinksheet is yet another of his name,” said the excited NPP 2016 flagbearer.

Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, who was given a resounding endorsement – 94.3% of the valid votes cast by the NPP Electoral College – made no secret of his desire to re-nominate Bawumia as his running mate. “There is real chemistry between the two of us,” he said.

According to the new leader of the NPP, the economy was always going to be the main battle ground for the 2016 elections. The dire situation that the nation has been plunged into by the incompetent NDC regime makes the presence of Dr. Bawumia on the NPP presidential ticket even more appropriate.

“I am confident that he will make an outstanding Vice President of the Republic and very good manager of the economy, who will help me reverse the decline of the economy, if Almighty God and the Ghanaian people favour us with the opportunity of service, come January 2017,” Nana Addo declared, cheered on by the large partisan crowd.

In his acceptance remark, Dr. Bawumia said the suffering that Ghanaians were going through under the NDC was needless.

The NPP, he stated emphatically, refuse to accept this hopeless situation assuring the long suffering masses that he would help in every capacity he could to ensure that the NDC was booted out of power come 2016 and restore hope.
Thanking Nana Addo and the party hierarchy for the confidence they have reposed in him,

Dr. Bawumia said: “No candidate in our political landscape has demonstrated this consistency and faith in his running mate and I am truly grateful once again for the opportunity to partner him to restore hope to the Ghanaian people and to deliver a competent and honest leadership which can alleviate the undeserved suffering of the Ghanaian people.”

He  called on Ghanaians to support the NPP to win the 2016 elections so they could collectively build a nation  that “we can all be proud of and a nation where every person,  desirous of working will find the skills and employment with a decent wage; a Ghana where we do not only build a future for our youth, but also build our youth for the future; a Ghana where the basics like water, electricity and sanitation are available; a Ghana where our hard-working entrepreneurs can easily access capital; a Ghana where our young people will be well-educated and empowered to better compete in the global economy.”

Nana Addo, his running and the entire leadership of the NPP are expected to attend this afternoon’s prayer at the Abbosey Okai Central Mosque in Accra, to pray with the Chief Imam for God’s blessings.

On Tuesday November 4, 2014, the Party will hold an inter-denominational service at the National Theatre, “to seek God’s blessings on the Party and on our ticket, and to thank Him for the peace and success of the primary,” Nana Akufo-Addo announced.

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