PRESIDENT MILLS’ ADMINISTRATION IS CORRUPTION FREE – ALLOTEY JACOBS

The Communications Director of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Central Region, Mr Bernard Allotey Jacobs says there is no corrupt official in President Mills’ administration.
According to him, nobody has been caught in any corruption scandal adding that President Mills is doing his best to clamp down on corruption in the country.
He was reacting to former President Rawlings’ comments yesterday at a Public Lecture to mark the 30th anniversary of the 31st December Revolution.
According to Mr Rawlings, President Mills lacks the courage to fight against corruption.
But Mr Allotey Jacobs believes that President Mills’s government is corruption-free.

Commenting on the possibility of former President Rawlings joining the NDC’s campaign, Mr Allotey Jacobs says posterity will judge him if he refuse to campaign for President Mills.

MAKE POLITICAL PARTIES SIGN PEACE TREATY AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

The President of National Association of Farmers and Fishermen, Nai Kwaw Otuo VI is calling on the National Peace Council to make all political parties sign peace treaty to commit them to ensuring peace during and after the 2012 elections.
Nai Kwaw Otuo VI who is also the chief of Awutu Mankessim in the Central Region, stated that the treaty will ensure that political parties follow the laid down regulations to prevent violence as well as abide by mechanisms to ensure they check their supporters.
He explains that 2012 will be one of the highly contested elections resulting in tension therefore the need to strategize for peace to prevail.
He mentioned the political parties at the crucial group to ensure safety.

Responding to concerns over the increased spate of accident this Christmas, Nai Kwaw Otuo VI blamed indiscipline among drivers refusal to observe road regulation.

End.

PRESIDENT MILLS TO CHANGE WEAK MINISTERS

President John Evans Atta Mills has warned lackadaisical ministers to brace themselves for massive changes in his team next year as he seeks to retain power.

Speaking in an interview on Radio Gold, President Mills said the reshuffle is to get a winning team for 2012.

According to him, his government will not tolerate any apathetic attitude from any minister or appointee and would crack the whip to ensure that the NDC gets the nod for another four-year term.

Adom news desk now looks some of the ministers and government officials could be removed from government and why.
Already, the President has started flexing his muscles by relieving Benjamin Akyena Brantuo, one of government communication team members over the controversial payment of GHC58 million to Alfred Woyome.
The Education Minister Betty Mould-Iddrisu is one of the ministers who might be affected for two reasons; the education ministry has been in news over because of the computer placement fiasco. The minister herself was the Attorney-General who refused to put up a defense when Woyome went to court to demand for over GHC100 million from government. She also lost major cases when she was Attorney-General.
Health Minister, Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh has been one of ‘busiest’ ministers; he decided to proceed on leave just when members of the Ghana Medical Association were embarking on a strike action that took this country by storm. President Mills then appointed Haruna Iddrissu to act on his behalf.
It will be a surprise to see the Deputy Minister of Interior, Kobby Acheampong still fighting the cause of ‘Better Ghana’ in 2012. The ‘no-nonsense’ minister once had a street fight with policemen for questioning him for over-speeding on the high way. He also had an open confrontation with a taxi driver.
Those were some of the ministers who, in our estimation, could face the axe in the next round of ministerial reshuffle.
But this is purely speculative.

The lessons everybody should know learn from the ‘Count of Monte Cristo’

The story of the count of Monte Cristo sometimes I think should have been documented in the Holy Book. Having watched the movie more than 10 times, I think I am in a position to discuss lessons that would learn from the movie. The story which is centered on faith, imprisonment and the act of revenge is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
It’s tells a story of a two best friends from different social class in the society. Edmond Dantes the hero is a sailor from a poor background. He could not read nor write which means he had no business befriending wealth and royal Fernando Mondego.
Indeed, Fernando had the money and wealth but he wanted one thing in addition–the girlfriend of his best friend, Mercedes. Though Dantes had no idea of his intentions, he was a good person who won favour everywhere he goes.
Edmond Dantes had just been promoted to be the chief sailor among the crew after one hectic trip to France, the decision of his promotion was disgusted by his best friend and other crew members.
His best friend who had read a letter to be delivered from Napoleon Bonaparte thought Edmond should have revealed the details of the meeting with the most wanted man to him.
Fernando then joined forces with the other crew members to betray Edmond Dantes. Not only did Fernando and his friends connived for him to sentenced to 13 year imprisonment but also took away his life-wife.
Well, he was sentenced to prison for doing nothing wrong but for him been the only person who knows the secret of the state. So he lost everything position, best friend, family, dreams and especially the woman he ever wanted.
The prison of no return-Chateau d’If was where Dantes will spend his life awaiting death and the second coming of Christ. At that point in time, the world for him was unfair and injustice for the poor.
Edmond Dantes lost faith God and everything he ever stood for. He was just waiting to die. He befriended fellow mate (priest) who was also sentenced for the wrong reasons. Over the next fifteen years the priest educates the illiterate Dantes, teaching him mathematics, literature, philosophy, economics, hand and sword combat and military strategy. He also helps Dantès discover why he himself was imprisoned.
Unfortunately, in an effort to escape prison the priest lost his life directing Edmond of the whereabout of the state fortune he had kept for the state most wanted treasure. Edmond then planed a smart way of escaping courtesy changing the robes of the dead priest with his.
His well executed escape made him recover himself and pursued to revenge all those who were behind his 15 imprisonment. Fast forward, Edmond Dantes became the Count of Monte Cristo after securing the treasure. His newly built image drew his enemies closer to him than ever. He took turn to satisfy his quest in revenging all those behind the plot against him. Finally, he married his prodigal wife and so his son after so many years.
One of the morals in that story is 'what goes around comes around'. The people who betrayed the count ended up by paying with their lives as he cleverly took his revenge on each one. Plus, the fact that the count actually really did find treasure and good friends (in the form of pirates) meant that he was a good person who attracted good people.
Regardless of the fact that the pirates could have treated him badly and even shot him when he found the treasure, they didn't, they became his friends and they benefitted from his success.

The main moral is that the bad deeds we do in life do not go unpunished and the good ones get rewarded.

PASTOR WANT TEMPORAL BAN OF POLITICANS ON RADIO

The Head pastor of Charity Missionaries Church in Tema, Rev Justice Kodua is calling on radio and television stations to temporally ban politicians during the newspaper review segment.
He explains that this would be some of the preventive measures to reduce the politics of insults and also reduce tension ahead of the 2012 elections.
Rev Justice Kodua blamed politicians and the media for the unnecessary discuss sometimes been discussed on air.
He made those statements in an interview with Adom news during the 3rd anniversary of Charity Missionaries Church.

Commenting on some of the challenges facing men of God, Rev Justice Kodua stated that women and money has been the greatest challenges in the ministry.
He therefore urge his fellow colleagues to be diligent and cautious in the last days.

PRESIDENT MILLS: I LIKE CUBA BUT I WAS IN US

President Mills has again reiterated that he has been in the United Stated States for the past three weeks as part of his compulsory annual leave.
He denied speculations that he had visited Cuba secretly to hold talks on Ghana’s Oil and gas industry.
President Mills debunk all those allegations stating that that those behind should use their fertile imagination for the benefit of the nation.
He made these comments this afternoon in an interaction with the media at the Kotoka International Airport when he arrived home from his trip.

Addressing the crowd, President Mills stated that the controversial 3 billion Dollar Chinese loan is ready and will soon flow to complete ongoing projects.

President Mills also used the occasion to wish Ghanaians a happy Christmas season.

FIRE DESTROYS BEST FARMER’S FARM

30 hectares of rice belonging to the 2011 Kintampo Best rice Farmer, Mr Emmanuel Donkor has gutted fire this afternoon.
Mr Emmanuel Donkor who doubles as a teacher at the Kintampo Senior High School narrated that he was in class when some people informed him that his rice farm is on fire.
He says his workers were absent when the unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours in afternoon.
He believes that some people in the community are behind the act.

Mr Emmanuel Donkor stated that he might quit farming because of the unfortunate situation.
He called on the government to help farmers insure their farms in order to prevent such unpredictable situations

GOVERNMENT GIVES BNI 7 DAYS ULTIMATUM TO INVESTIGATE MISSING COCAINE

Government has directed the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to investigate the circumstances that led to a substance suspected to be cocaine and handed over to an Accra Circuit Court turning into sodium bicarbonate.
A letter signed by the Minister of Information copied to Adom news stated that the BNI has been given seven (7) days to submit its report on whether the substance handed over to the court by the Police in September 2011, and which has since been in the custody of the court, is the same substance that was later presented to the Ghana Standards Board for testing.
Mr John Tia Akologu says government remains committed to the fight against narcotics, noting that any person found to have played a role that infringes on the law in this matter will be severely dealt with in accordance with the law.

BAWUMIA RESIGNATION IS A PRIVATE MATTER

The Deputy Communication Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Perry Okudzeto says the resignation of Dr Bawumia as the country manager of the African Development Bank in Zimbabwe is a private matter.
He denied that the NPP played a role in his resignation in order to lobby for the appointment as the running mate for Nana Addo.
Dr Bawumia quit his job over the weekend possibly to lobby for another shot to partner Nana Addo.
But Perry Okudzeto insists that the resignation is private affair

Perry Okudzeto stated that Nana Addo might have nominated his running mate already and warned lobbyist to desist from influencing the choice of Nana Addo.
Meanwhile, the Youth Coordinator of NPP in the Brong Ahafo Region, Kofi Klanga has suggested that the NPP should consider Nana Gabby Nketia as the running mate to partner Nana Addo.
He made this comments in an interview with our reporter Prince Williams.

NPA DENIES LPG SHORTAGE

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has informed the Public that there is no LPG shortage.

The Executive Director of the NPA, Alex Mould says there are currently over 4,000 metric tons stock of LPG at TOR.

He confirmed that Fuel Trade has will deliver over 7,000 metric tons LPG to TOR by this Wednesday, 14th Dec 2011
Alex Mould was reacting to numerous reports that there is been shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Sunyani, Kumasi and some parts of Accra.

But he stated that NPA is working with the LPGas and Oil Marketing Companies who sell directly to the Public to ensure that any shortfalls in any location are addressed.

HUSBAND DEMAND RELEASE OF WIFE

Husband of the Ghanaian nurse in the UK, Gloria Dwomoh who is facing jail sentence says his counsel have filed for the release of his wife.
Mr Ekuamoah Frimpong Gyamfi stated that health expert were not able to give evidence that force feeding was the cause of the child birth.
He disclosed that the mother was not with the child at the time of his death. He added that he was the one feeding the child in the hospital prior to the death.
Madame Gloria Dwomoh was convicted of force-feeding her baby daughter until she died. She was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of 10-month-old baby.
But his husband believes that his wife is innocent and that he will make sure his wife is released.

GHANA SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OBAMA’S ‘NO AID TO AFRICA’

The Executive Director for the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA) Dr Joe Abbey says Ghana should take advantage of the threats by President Obama and Prime Minister David Cameroon not to grant foreign aid to countries who does not respect the rights of gays.
He explains that Ghana should start depending on her own resources in development so that foreign aid will longer be a threat to government.
Dr Joe Abbey advise Ghanaians not to pounce insults on those countries but to strategize to improve on the local revenue to support the economy.
He stress that other countries have been able to develop without or little dependence on foreign aid.

IMANI RELEASES 2011 WORST INSTITUTIONS

IMANI Ghana has published the list of worst performing public institutions in 2011. The Ghana Education Service topped the lists for exhibiting weaknesses in transparency, and handling of the computerized school selection and placement.
Second on the list is the National Lottery Authority -for killing off the private lottery industry in Ghana, thereby reducing total jobs in the sector.
The Fair Wages and Salary Commission came third for the mismanagement of labour issues during the year.
Fourth is The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions – of the Ministry of Justice for delayed in justice delivery in the country.
Fifth is National Youth Council –For poor progress in defining a winning blueprint for youth development in Ghana. This is the third time IMANI Ghana is publishing such a report.
Kofi Bentil is the Vice President of IMANI Ghana; he says the list is a wakeup call to public institutions to improve their performance.

NDC KONKOMBA YOUTH THREATENS DEMO OVER PARTY BETRAYAL

A group in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), called the Concerned NDC Youth of Konkomba Yam Market has threatened to demonstrate against what they describe as betrayal and disowning by the ruling party.
According to executives of the group, no party or government official has made any move to show appreciation or recognise their efforts in helping the NDC to win the 2008 elections.
They agitated youth, who say they will demonstrate on December 15; tell Adom News that they have not benefitted from the numerous employment opportunities that are mentioned in propaganda messages.
Yakubu Usama is a member and he alleges that they have been neglected by the party.

Meanwhile, efforts to get executive members of the NDC to react to the story proved futile as they were locked up in a meeting during press time.

NDC ADMITS INTERFERENCE IN DAGBON CRISIS

The Central Regional Communications Director of the NDC, Mr Allotey Jacobs has admitted that the NDC and the NPP should be held responsible for the Dagbon crisis.
He stated that the two political parties have taken sides in the Dagbon crisis making it difficult for mediators to find solutions to the problem.
He was reacting to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s comments over the weekend that the situation in Dagbon has remained volatile because politicians have fuelled factionalism between the feuding parties.

Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Curtis Perry Okudzeto also admitted that polarization of the issue has made it difficult for quick solutions.
He however says the NPP cannot be blamed for interference in the Dagbon Crisis.
He stated that during the NPP’s tenure of office, they put in place all the necessary measures to help solve the issue.
Curtis Perry Okudzeto rather blamed President Mills and the NDC for politicizing the Dagbon crisis by making it a campaign promise that they will find a lasting solution if they were voted into power in the run-up to the 2008 elections.

NPP WILL ANNOUNCE RUNNING MATE EARLY NEXT YEAR

Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Curtis Perry Okudzeto says the party will announce a running mate for its flagbearer early next year.
He cautioned that the executives of the NPP will not engage in unnecessary debate surrounding the appointment since the time is not yet right for flagbearer, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo to appoint a running mate.
He denied that a meeting has been held to select Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who was the running mate for Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2008 elections as running mate again for the 2012 elections.
Mr. Okudzeto stated that no one can come out with a name apart from Nana Akufo Addo.

Mr. Okudzeto also warned lobbyists to desist from making statements that will hinder the chances of the party in 2012.

POLITICIANS CANNOT BE TAKEN OUT IN SOLVING DAGBON CRISIS

The Central Regional Communications Director of the NDC, Mr Allotey Jacobs says though politicians are to be held responsible for the Dagbon crisis, Politicians cannot be taken out of solving the crisis.
He stated that the two families, Abudu’s and Andani’s belong to either the NPP or the NDC so it very difficult to take out the politicians in trying to solve the issue.
He was reacting to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s comments over the weekend that the situation in Dagbon has remained volatile because politicians have fuelled factionalism between the feuding parties.
But Allotey Jacobs maintain that politicians cannot be erased in the Dagbon crisis solution

Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Curtis Perry Okudzeto maintained that the NPP have not polarized the issue but finding solutions to it

YOUTH URGE TO MAINTAIN THEIR VIRGINITY

The Executive Director of Positive Mindset International an NGO, Evangelist Albert Forson has advised the youth to maintain their virginity till they get married.
He stated that that it’s honorable and dignified for any child to remain chaste before getting married. He added that indulging in sexual activity will make them loose focus in life.
Evangelist Albert Forson gave this advice to the youth when he visited some schools and youth centres in the Greater Accra region ahead of the Christmas celebration which some youth engage in sexual activities.

Evangelist Albert Forson also cautioned parents to make extra time with their children.
He explains that the lack of parental control and censorship will negatively affect the children.

GHANA FEDERATION OF DEAF NEGLECTED IN YELLOW FEVER AWARENESS

The Ghana National Federation for the Deaf has expressed their disappointment in government for neglecting them in the awareness creation during the yellow fever vaccination week.
The Media Coordinator of the Federation, Mr Oti Mensah Essilfie says government should have strategized to inform the deaf and dump and as a result most of the physically challenged have since not been injected with the yellow fever vaccine.

Meanwhile, the Director in Charge of the Yellow Fever Vaccination, Dr. Antwi Adjei says special arrangements have been made for the physically challenged to get vaccinated after the main national one.
He therefore urged them to take advantage of the special arrangement and get vaccinated.