The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana says the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) needs expert managers to tackle the inefficiencies in the Company’s operations. Whilst the Institute maintained that ECG should remain state-owned, it stressed that the new crop of managers should be drawn from wherever applicable, both locally and internationally, with appointment devoid of political party affiliation and rather based on competence. It noted that curtailing the country’s periodic power outages required a holistic approach, which must include dealing with the legacy debt, reducing the industry-high distribution losses, improving bill collections, stemming illegal connections and moving to legitimate cost-recovery tariffs. Dr John K. Kwakye, Director of Research, IEA Ghana, said this at a press briefing on Wednesday to present the Institute’s reflections on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Akufo-Addo on February 27, as well as the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Decision delivered on March 25 by the Governor of the Bank of Ghana. In his message during the SONA, President Akufo-Addo touted the Government’s success in ending the intermittent power outages called “Dumsor” locally and managing “to keep the lights on in the last seven years”. Whilst IEA acknowledged that power had been much more stable in the last seven years than the four years earlier, it also noted that the subsequent stability benefited from previous investments in the power sector. “What we also know is that the stable power has been achieved at considerable budgetary cost some of which emanated from previous contractual agreements,” Dr Kwakye added. The Director of Research highlighted some areas of interest, which were not captured in the SONA – corruption and illegal mining, popularly known as “Galamsey”. Dr Kwakye said both local and international corruption reports showed that no significant progress had been made by the country in tackling the canker in the past 30 years. He proposed that if the Office of the Special Prosecutor could be successful in fighting corruption, it would be important to re-enact its Act and remove it completely from the influence of the Executive, with regard to appointment, prosecution of cases, and funding. Touching on “galamsey”, Dr Kwakye noted that even though the government had implemented a number of strategies and invested quite an amount of capital in dealing with the menace, limited success had been achieved so far. He added: “This appears to be due to the existence of strong vested interests in the business, involving well-placed individuals and groups. “It would take concerted efforts in regulation, community engagement and a strong sanctions regime to bring the menace under control and avoid its potentially disastrous consequences.” Other areas in the SONA that IEA Ghana reflected on were Peace and Security, Projects, Taxes, Debt, Macroeconomy, Social Protection, Free Senior High School, Planting for Food and Jobs, and Minerals. Credit: GNA

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has expressed worry regarding the functioning of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). According to him, the OSP, despite having two Special Prosecutors, appears to have been incapacitated by the appointing authority. During an IEA press briefing on Wednesday, April 3, Dr John Kwakye, the Director of Research at IEA, commented on President Akufo-Addo's recent State of the Nation Address (SONA). He noted that the President did not address the issue of corruption. Dr Kwakye expressed serious reservations about the requirement for the Special Prosecutor to obtain approval from the Attorney-General before initiating prosecutions. He argued that the OSP Act was inherently flawed. He proposed that the OSP could effectively combat corruption if its Act is revised and enacted without the influence of the Executive. “Corruption is such an important issue in Ghana that it is inconceivable that the President would gloss over it. This Government established the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), ostensibly to act independently from the Attorney General (AG), who is inextricably linked to the Executive. “However, the OSP Act was flawed ab initio to the extent that the Special Prosecutor (SP) is nominated by the AG and appointed by the President, the SP needs the approval of the AG to initiate prosecutions and the OSP is funded by the Executive. It is no wonder that the OSP, which has been occupied by two SPs so far, has been rendered toothless. “If the OSP is to be successful in fighting corruption, it would be important to re-enact its Act and remove it completely from the influence of the Executive, in terms of appointment, prosecution of cases and funding.” Credit: Citinewsroom

Director of the Ghana School of Law, Barima Yaw Kodie Oppong, has asked for forgiveness for himself and others who criticized the marriage of the 63-year-old Ga priest to a 13-year-old girl. Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, known as the Gborbu Wulomo, faced significant backlash when a video of his wedding ceremony with the young girl, Naa Okromo, became public. The ceremony, which attracted widespread attention, took place on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Nungua. In an interview on The Point of View on Citi TV, Yaw Oppong, who is also the Mawerehene of Akyem Abuakwa admitted his initial outrage and that of some Ghanaians at the news of the marriage. This changed when Rev Dr Daniel Nii Gyasi Ankrah, Director of Administration, Office of the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, clarified that the minor was customarily married to a deity and not the priest. He praised Rev Dr Daniel Nii Gyasi Ankrah for his eloquent explanation of the customs behind the marriage, asking for forgiveness from the Nungua chiefs. “Let’s give it to Rev Dr Daniel Nii Gyasi Ankrah, he was extremely eloquent, I have no grounds to doubt what he said. To be honest with you, we were all outraged, Nananom [chiefs] should forgive us, Naamei, they should forgive us, but we were all outraged, but when the explanation came…To be honest, I think that we have to hail those who have ensured that this technological century or generation has come this far.” Yaw Oppong blamed the women MCs who either deferred instructions of the marriage or got carried away by making comments that suggested that the minor was married to the 63-year-old priest and not a deity. He questioned why the female MCs were not stopped when they supposedly deviated. “I agree with some who have expressed the view that those ladies [MCs], they are virtually akyeame. They are people through whom the principal, sometimes the chief speaks. It is assumed that they would have been briefed. I’m balancing it, they may not have come to that conclusion which they declared to our hearing without a basis. “They would have been informed that they were going to do a marriage ceremony, but we also know that these people exaggerate a lot. “But why were they not stopped? At the point where they got to deviation, they should have been told. And this is why you cannot also blame those who took it up. I think Naamei and Niimei should pardon all of us. Because either those people betrayed them or they were carried away by the whole pomp and pageantry or the fact that this is so unique or they took the wrong instructions, or they were misinformed by the person who instructed them.” Credit: Citinewsroom

The outgoing Member of Parliament and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, officially announced his departure from Parliament to the Suame Traditional authorities. In a meeting with chiefs within the Suame municipality on Monday, April 1, at his residence in Kumasi, the lawmaker outlined some of the major achievements accomplished during his tenure. This act, he explained, was part of his regular accountability to his constituents. Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu chose not to seek re-election in the last NPP Parliamentary primaries after serving the constituency for twenty-seven years. Thus, he deemed it necessary to formally inform the kingmakers in the Municipality about his departure. Addressing the chiefs, Hon. Kyei Mensah highlighted the significant developmental projects undertaken during his leadership. He expressed gratitude to the chiefs for their prayers and unwavering support throughout his tenure. He mentioned that hundreds of individuals have benefited from his scholarship schemes and educational initiatives. Additionally, he provided computers, laptops, books, and dual chairs to enhance education within the municipality. Regarding the issue of erratic power supply, he disclosed that over four thousand mini electricity transformers were installed in the Constituency to address power fluctuations. Hon. Kyei Mensah thanked the chiefs and urged them to support the newly elected candidate to represent the party in Parliament. He emphasized the importance of unity within the party to ensure success in the upcoming 2024 elections, urging party members to overcome any obstacles hindering the party's progress. Highlighting some of the projects undertaken during Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu's tenure, Hon. Maxwell Ofosu Boakye, MCE for Suame, mentioned that the completion of the SDA hospital at Breman was funded by the MP's common fund. He also noted that accommodation for health workers at the facility was constructed using the common fund. Furthermore, he highlighted that the completed but yet-to-be-commissioned GNPC hospital at Kwabra was also funded by the Suame lawmaker. Additionally, the Suame Magazine hospital received support from the MP with an injection of about Ghc280,000.00 into the project. Credit: Modern Ghana

Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has alleged that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey smuggled the new passports fees through parliamentary procedures. He said Mrs Botchwey and her team exploited loopholes in the procedures of the House without the required bipartisan support at the level of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs. “I’m saying this on authority. They exploited a loophole in the system. When they saw that this will not receive bipartisan support at Foreign Affairs Committee they didn’t return to us. So that is why I have said in my statement that look, we will not accept this betrayal, this undermining of our Committee. We want the Foreign Minister, and I heard her in the clip you just played that Parliament has asked us to do this. How did Parliament ask you to do this? You brought this to Parliament, smuggled it in the fees and charges and you had your 21 days. Don’t shift this to Parliament” he said in an interview with Johnnie Hughes on 3FM Sunrise Morning Show on April 3. The North Tongu MP revealed that during a budget approval session on December 12, 2023, the Minister hinted at her intention to hike passport application fees without providing adequate justification. However, when the matter failed to earn bipartisan support within the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Minister allegedly sidestepped further consultation with the committee, pushing the proposal through without proper scrutiny. “The level of contempt the Minister for Foreign Affairs has exhibited in this matter and how she has treated our Committee is utterly shocking, especially to those of us on the Committee,” he said. Touching on claims that applicants who pay the new fees will get chip-embedded passports, Ablakwa said the Mrs Ayorkor Botchwey admitted during a committee session that the government was not yet ready to implement chip-embedded passports, for which the new fees will apply, due to unresolved contractual issues. “The Minister told us at committee that they are not ready for the chip-embedded passport. So, everybody who is going to pay this new fee, you are going to get the same old biometric passports which many countries left behind about 10 years ago,” he stated. Ablakwa also criticized the Minister’s justification for the fee increase, arguing that passport services should normally be accessible to all citizens, regardless of their financial status. He highlighted existing fee structures which, he claimed, inherently provided subsidies for those in need. “The rich already subsidize the poor through premium service fees,” Ablakwa pointed out. “There are other countries where citizens receive passports for free, such as those serving in the army or belonging to vulnerable groups. These are services that we should render,” he suggested. Furthermore, Ablakwa urged the government to focus on addressing pressing issues such as economic challenges, unemployment, and poverty, rather than imposing burdensome fees on citizens. “If the conspiracy theories are true, then this totally missed the mark because it will not work,” Ablakwa warned, urging the government to reconsider its approach. It would be recalled that, speaking in an interview with Journalists in Accra on April 2, 2024, the Foreign Affiars Minister said once Parliament has approved the new fees, it is the only institution that can reverse the charges. “Parliament agreed to increase it, so it’s been done. If Parliament decides that we should go back, we would have to look at it. It’s Parliament that decided and we go by what they decided,” Mrs Botchwey noted. Effective April 1, the online passport application page of the Ministry was updated to reflect the new fees. In December last year, sector Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey requested Parliament’s Committee on Subsidiary Legislation that the passport application fees be reviewed to allow the ministry to reduce losses in passport booklet printing. “It is time for Ghanaians to pay realistic prices for passports they acquire to travel beginning next year,” said the Minister. “Ghanaians pay just about GH¢100 for a passport yet to produce one passport booklet it costs GH¢400 which means that for every passport that an applicant acquires, the government has to put in GH¢300 and this is not sustainable,” she added. The Minister also argued that the current fee of $7.7 for the acquisition of a Ghanaian passport was the lowest in the sub-region. A comparison showed that Cameroon charges $180, Guinea $57, Guinea-Bissau $65, Burkina Faso $80, and Nigeria $54.29 for passport services. Meanwhile, the new fees as proposed by the Ministry received no objection at the committee level within 21 days, paving the way for them to go into effect. Credit: 3news

Founder and Leader of Anointed Palace Chapel (APC), Rev Obofour has described the extensive endurance rituals being meted out to widows in the process of mourning her late husbands (widowhood rites) as useless and needless. According to him, during widowhood rites, these widows become vulnerable to various abuses especially by members of her late husbands' families, who typically claim to care for them during the rites. Addressing his congregation, he said "Over my dead body, will my wife and children be subjected to such widowhood rites. Where were those so-called family elders and members when I was struggling with my wife" "Amamr3 my *ss, shut that thing down. No one should dare come to my house, lock the doors and drive my wife and kids away in the name of widowhood rites. W'abodam x300. Try and you will see" The man of God further added that such rites should be abolished in the country. In some parts of the country, when a woman is widowed, she and her children lose access to property and resources. The woman may even be driven off of the property she shared with her husband by her in-laws. In addition to experiencing financial devastation, the woman and her children may experience moral injury from the betrayal of in-laws in positions of power during this period of great need. These rituals sometimes include seclusion, prescribed dress code, walking barefoot, fasting for a period, and, in more extreme cases, enduring the application of pepper to her eyes, sleeping in the same room where the corpse is laid, and bathing with water used to wash the corpse. Some reasons put forth for observation of widowhood rites include bidding farewell to the dead, proving the widow's innocence of husband's death, showing that a widow really loved her husband, receiving blessings from the husband's spirit rather than incur bad luck for failure to go through the rites, and purifying oneself, since a widow is seen as impure and contaminated. This practice is to ensure that a widow and her children continue to be supported by the deceased man's estate and family. A widow who refuses to marry her brother-in-law may forfeit her late husband's land and other properties and may have to return her bride price. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Chairman of the Energy Committee of Parliament, Samuel Atta Akyea, has disclosed that President Akufo-Addo has directed the Volta River Authority to reduce the export of electricity to neighbouring countries in response to the ongoing intermittent power outages, commonly known as ‘dumsor’. “The President is on top of the issues and I am even being educated that there is a command that our export of electricity to other countries should be curtailed. The President has an acute sense of the national need than making profits abroad so that is a factor that would come and help,” he told Joy News in an interview. Ghanaians have been experiencing irregular electricity supply lately, causing disruptions across various sectors and inconveniences for consumers. The President’s directive follows recent calls by Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Power Generators, Ghana (IPGG), for the Volta River Authority (VRA) to halt electricity exports and focus on meeting domestic demands amidst the current power crisis. IPGG argued that Ghana is currently undergoing a power crisis, necessitating VRA to limit the export of hydro-generated electricity to neighbouring countries where consumers enjoy significantly lower power tariffs. Mr. Apetorgbor stressed the importance of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority refraining from imposing high electricity tariffs on Ghanaians, especially during periods of unstable power supply. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection has reiterated its commitment to liaise with the Ghana Police Service to probe the marriage of Gborbu Wulomo of Nungua, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, to an underage girl. This traditional ceremony, which occurred on March 30, 2024, has caused public outrage in Ghana. There are calls for the arrest of the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo, who asserts that the girl will not be required to perform marital duties until she is 18. The Gender Ministry in a statement dated April 2, 2024, said “The Ministry reiterates its commitment to work closely with the Ghana Police Service and all relevant stakeholders to conduct thorough investigations into the alleged child marriage while upholding our cultural values as a people within the parameters of law. The ministry emphasized that the Social Welfare Department is diligently working to ensure the child’s best interest is prioritized. “It is equally imperative at this point to prioritize the interest of Naa Okromo as required by our mandate.” “Accordingly, the Social Welfare Department is working assiduously to ensure that the best interest of the child remains paramount in all procedures taken to bring finality to the matter. The Ghana Police Service has confirmed that the girl and her mother are currently under police protection. However, Rev Dr Daniel Nii Gyasi Ankrah, Director of Administration, Office of the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, cautioned that the police would face repercussions if anything happened to their queen. Contrary to reports, the GaDangme traditional council asserts that the girl is 16 years old, and not 13. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has suggested that Ghanaians who cannot afford a passport should refrain from applying. She emphasized that passports are no longer the primary source of identification, and those without a need for them should not apply. Addressing journalists, she said, “Today as we speak, we have the National Identification that is working very well, so that’s our primary source of identification. No longer the passport. “And even those who have the National ID can travel into the country with it. So, then I’m asking humbly Ghanaians that please, if you do not need a passport and because you cannot afford it. Please, humbly, I’m asking you not to go for a passport because it’s no longer your primary source of identification.” She expressed concern over the government’s subsidy of passport applications, indicating that the quality of services provided to Ghanaians may be compromised if the subsidy persists. “If the government is subsidizing heavily, it’s difficult to provide any good services to Ghanaians. She also assured that the ministry would cooperate if Parliament decides to review the passport fees. “Fees come from the Parliament of Ghana. We make a presentation to them; we give them the bare facts of what it is. Parliament is aware of this and this document charges came from Parliament. If Parliament decides, we should go back, we will have to look at it, it is Parliament that has decided and we will go by it.” She clarified that the increase in passport fees is not intended to financially burden Ghanaians. The Ministry announced upward adjustments in its fees and charges for services effective Monday April 1, 2024. The Ministry in a statement clarified that this decision aligns with the 2023 fees and charges regulations, L.I.2481. The processing fee for an expedited 48-page passport now costs GHS800, while 32 page application is GHS700. Credit: Citinewsroom

Francis-Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament for Madina, has criticized the union between a 63-year-old Ga priest and a 13-year-old girl, describing it as “condemnable”. The Ga priest, Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, also known as Gborbu Wulomo, faced significant backlash when a video of his wedding ceremony with the young girl, Naa Okromo, became public. The ceremony, which drew widespread attention, was held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Nungua. During an interview on Face to Face on Citi TV with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Sosu, who is also a human rights lawyer, argued that such actions by Gborbu Wulomo should not be repeated in Ghana’s history. Sosu expressed his disapproval of the minor’s violation by Gborbu Wulomo and the GaDangme Traditional Council and opposed attempts to trivialize the issue. “One thing that has badly been violated in this circumstance is how this 13-year-old has been paraded on TV, social media and everywhere and there’s no better way to say it, than to say this is wrong, it’s completely condemnable and it shouldn’t repeat itself. Any attempts to water it down will amount to a re-introduction of Trokosi system. Ghana decided to abolish it,” he asserted. Sosu conveyed his satisfaction with the police’s protection of the minor and her mother, stating, “We’re happy to know that they are safe [mother and child]. Because when you’re dealing with children, we call something welfare principles. The overriding principle of dealing with a child is the welfare principle.” The traditional council clarified that the relationship between the two is a betrothal, not a marriage. The office of Gborbu Wulomo stated that the 13-year-old girl is considered a property of the Nungua deity. He has called for the arrest and prosecution of Gborbu Wulomo for violating the girl’s right. Credit: Citinewsroom

Director of Administration, Office of the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, Rev Dr Daniel Nii Gyasi Ankrah, has warned that the police will face consequences if anything happens to their 12-year-old queen who allegedly married the Gborbu Wulomo over the weekend. This comes after the Ghana Police Service indicated that the girl and her mother are currently under police protection. The service also noted that it is collaborating with the Gender Ministry to provide them with the necessary support while the matter is being investigated. “The Ghana Police Service has identified and located the 12-year-old girl who is alleged to have been married to the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo in Nungua, Accra. The girl and her mother are currently under Police protection.” “The Ghana Police Service is working with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection and the Department of Social Welfare to provide her with the necessary support while the matter is being investigated,” it said. However, while addressing journalists in Accra on Tuesday, April 2, the Director of Administration, Office of the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, stated that the girl is their royal and they will confront the police if anything adverse happens to her. “The statement from the police is that the young lady who is our queen is under police protection. Therefore if the police have remarked that she is under police protection, where again do you want to find her. “But we are telling the world that she is our royal and if the police are saying that they are taking care of her, then the police must be reminded that whatever happens to her, then traditionally we will deal with the police,” he stated. Credit: Citinewsroom

Renowned actor John Dumelo has candidly discussed the advances he’s received from women in an interview with his colleague, Joselyn Dumas. Despite his fame, Dumelo revealed that some women, initially posing as fans, eventually express romantic interest. Some even directly proposition him for physical relationships, hoping for favors in return. Dumelo remarked, “Some women are upfront about their desires, telling me exactly what they want.” Beyond his acting acclaim, Dumelo is also recognized for his entrepreneurial ventures, including the establishment of his clothing line, J.Melo, in 2012, and his involvement in agriculture, encompassing both crop and animal farming. Source: OccupyGh