The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on Thursday, June 2, 2022; published a letter alleging that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo through his Finance Minister had authorized the release of GH¢25 million for the construction of the National Cathedral. According to him, the release projected insensitivity on the part of a government that had failed to honour monthly payment of stipends to a category of workers amid the current economic challenges the country is facing. Attached to his post was a document dated March 31, 2022, signed by the Minister for Finance Ken Ofori-Atta with the title “Seed Money for the construction of the National Cathedral. “Authority is hereby granted you to release the sum of 25,000,000.00 (Twenty-Five Million Ghana Cedis) as additional seed money to the National Cathedral Secretariat for the construction of the National Cathedral for part payment of outstanding claims from RIBADE Limited,” portions of the document Ablakwa shared read. Ablakwa fires seven questions begging for answers Ablakwa in a press conference, the same day, disclosed that the Minority in Parliament was going to demand some answers on the said release. He also served notice that more revelations will be made in respect of the payments made towards the project. In his final social media post on the evening of Thursday, the lawmaker posed seven questions he said the government had failed to address with respect to the release of the said funds. His questions bordered on the processes leading to the release, why and how Parliament was bypassed, the failure to obey the procurement process, from which allocation of the funds was drawn and the propriety of such payment in these times. Read Ablakwa’s full post below: So far, government has been unable to answer the following questions on the GHS25million scandalous release for Akufo-Addo’s national cathedral: 1) Which budget contains the allocation? 2) When did Parliament approve the said allocation? 3) How much of taxpayer funds have been released prior to this 31st March, 2022 instruction from Ken Ofori-Atta, particularly when he indicates that the staggering GHS25million is “additional seed money”? 4) How much in total is the taxpayer expected to contribute? 5) Why is government not complying with the procurement law? 6) Why is there no parliamentary approval for the international companies government has contracted as Article 181 (5) of the 1992 Constitution demands? 7) How is this project a priority at this time considering our economic predicament and governments inability to meet its numerous obligations to the suffering citizenry? One really wonders if God will ever answer any prayer made in this controversial cathedral being erected on the foundations of deception, opacity and insensitivity. We shall be making public more damning documents tomorrow afternoon — do stay tuned. If ever any project requires truth, sincerity, purity and fidelity to the law — it must be this one. For God and Country. Credit: ghanaweb.com

Award-winning Ghanaian blogger and Youtuber, Zionfelix, has finally addressed the depressing accusations that he’s the one behind the stale relationship between Patapaa and his wife at the moment. Late yesterday, Patapaa made it into the headlines after a post he shared on his Whatsapp staus got leaked on the internet. According to Patapaa, Zionfelix is the reason he doesn’t want to see his wife again. The Hiplife musician accused the blogger of destroying his marriage. To wit, what Patapaa is saying is that – He suspects Zionfelix has something intimate to do with his wife and he’s not happy about that. Many Ghanaians took to the internet to blast Zionfelix for supposedly ruining the relationship of his fellow man. These attackers really bathed Zionfelix with severe insults and slander for poking his nose into the marital affairs of Patapaa. Zionfelix has finally broken since on the whole brouhaha and according to him, the reports that he’s secretly going out with Liha Miller is a lie. The blogger additionally revealed that he has met Liha Miller only twice one in Ghana and their most recent encounter that has given birth to this whole fuss. Pained Zionfelix categorically stated in a self-made video that Liha Miller isn’t her lover as speculated and Patapaa took to the internet to falsely accuse him of such because he failed to first inform him before interviewing his wife. Screenshot below: Credit: GHPage.com

Patapaa has claimed Ghanaian blogger Zionfelix wants to sleep with his wife in an explosive message he shared on his WhatsApp status and captured by Pulse Ghana. The One Corner hitmaker artiste further cursed the mainstream celebrity and lifestyle blogger, saying he will not succeed in life. Because of this guy I don’t want to see my wife again, he is the problem between I and my wife, your mother, John brogg, you will not make it in this life. You have a wife but still you love my wife. News about Patapaa’s marital surfaced last week but his father, Kwesi Amoah dismissed the wild speculations. The singer himself clarified on Kastle FM that his wife had only traveled back to Europe to work since she is not permanently based in Ghana and not divorced as being bandied about. You know that my wife is a white woman from Europe but not permanently based in Ghana and besides she’s a nurse. Prior to that, the Swedru native blamed the celebrity and lifestyle blogger Zionfelix for his woes although the post he shared gave no expansion of what he meant. Patapaa also reminded Ghanaians that Zionfelix is the catalyst behind most of the bad things happening within the sphere of celebrity marriages and therefore called on everyone to be careful about him. He posted these; SOURCE: www.Ghgossip.com

Patapaa has sensationally said he does not want to see his wife again as he finally confirms he and his wife are having serious issues. He accused blogger Zionfelix of coming between him and his German wife Liha Miller and badmouthing him to her. He made these comments on his WhatsApp status in furtherance of the perpetual news shrouding his marriage. The overly furious artiste then cursed the mainstream celebrity lifestyle blogger, saying he will not succeed in life. Because of this guy I don’t want to see my wife again, he is the problem between I and my wife, your mother, John brogg, you will not make it in this life. You have a wife but still you love my wife. News about Patapaa’s marital surfaced last week but his father, Kwesi Amoah dismissed the wild speculations. The singer himself clarified on Kastle FM that his wife had only traveled back to Europe to work since she is not permanently based in Ghana and not divorced as being bandied about. You know that my wife is a white woman from Europe but not permanently based in Ghana and besides she’s a nurse. Prior to that, the Swedru native blamed the celebrity and lifestyle blogger Zionfelix for his woes although the post he shared gave no expansion of what he meant. Patapaa also reminded Ghanaians that Zionfelix is the catalyst behind most of the bad things happening within the sphere of celebrity marriages and therefore called on everyone to be careful about him. Below are screenshots: Story by: Gabs

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is said to be chasing after Wontumi Radio and Television in Kumasi because of electricity theft. The two media houses which are owned by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling NPP, Chairman Wontumi have been accused of connecting illegal power to their media houses and currently owing to the Electricity company a whooping sum of GHc300,000. Sources familiar with the development told Starr News the ECG visited the facility and other businesses in the area on a tip-off and found over 100 people culpable of power theft. “Our regional manager always pushes the public affairs unit to go public any time we arrest people for stealing ECG power, but when Wontumi station was disconnected for power theft he is quiet about the development and he is secretly negotiating to cover the rot because the media house belongs to a politician. This style of business management is why ECG is not meeting its revenue target’’ the source said. Responding to the matter, the General Manager of Wontumi Communications Limited known widely as Away Bus confirmed the accusation but noted the said meter was tampered with before the company bought and moved into the building. He explained the meter has been replaced by the ECG. ”Unfortunately, I don’t have the bill off-head, they earlier gave us about Three Hundred Thousand Cedis bill (GHC.300,000) to pay then they later reduced it to over one hundred thousand Ghana Cedis. I’m surprised this issue has entered into the media”. He added “It will surprise you to notice that ECG has commenced collection of the debt. The first power we bought from ECG since the issue began the system deducted 40 percent of the money to recover the debt. This means we have started the payment process so why do you take us to the media?. “Me as the business manager for the media house, I’m not a technical person so I don’t even know a tempered meter so we were just doing our work. None of my technical personnel also did that until this issue came up. We are yet to inform Chairman Wontumi, the owner of the station, for us to resolve the issue with ECG you know he was very busy with his campaign activities’’. However, the Ashanti regional public relations officer of ECG Madam Grace Garshong denied knowledge of the said illegal connection of power at the media house and hence can’t speak about it. Story by: Berlinda Arthur

Ghanaian Female Rapper, Ruth Eno Adjoa Amankwah Nyame Adom, well known as Eno Barony says that most people have assumed that artists who don’t show off are poor. According to the rapper, a lot of artists have different ways to entertain and engage with their fans. She said that while some show off their luxuries by flaunting their cars, houses, and cash, others also prefer to flaunt or promote their music to entertain their fans. During an interview with Amansan Krakye on Kastle FM, Eno Barony says that artists who are consistent in doing music make money but do not need to flaunt it online. “I think a lot of people look at social media and then there are some types of artists who sell their lifestyles to you and some sell their music and others sell their inspiration to you. “So, people look at the artistes who sell their lifestyles to you and feel like it’s only this artiste who is making money and the rest are broke because they don’t flaunt their wealth on social media. “But trust me when an artist is still doing it consistently and then making heights in the music industry, he or she is getting something out of it.” Below is her Instagram post: Source: www.ghgossip.com

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has assured Zoomlion Ghana Limited of the government's support to ensure that they produce quality organic fertiliser on a large scale to help bridge the gap of the shortage of inorganic fertilisers in the country. According to the sector MInister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Zoomlion, with its recycling and compost plants, dotted across the country, has the capacity to produce organic fertiliser on a large scale to feed "our farmers." The minister gave the assurance while addressing journalists after touring the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP), a facility owned by Zoomlion, at Adjen Kotoku in the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. He was accompanied by some senior officers of the ministry. The two-hour tour afforded the mInister and his team the chance to learn first hand about the operations of ACARP in general, but with particular interest to its organic fertiliser production. Visiting the plant for the first time, the agriculture minister was highly impressed, especially with ACARP's organic fertiliser production process , adding that "I am confident Zoomlion with this capacity will be able to help bridge the fertiliser shortage in the country." "Zoomlion as the leading company in organic fertiliser production in the country has a huge potential to produce quality organic fertilisers to address the global fertiliser shortage which has hit Ghana," he noted. He said the shortage of inorganic fertiliser on the market was a global issue, attributing it to Covid and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Against this backdrop, Dr. Akoto stressed that government was determined that agriculture in the country was not disrupted by happenings globally. "We are determined to ensure that our farmers get all the the supplies that they need so that they are not affected by the global crisis of inorganic fertiliser shortage," he insisted. According to him, the government was lifting the quota on supplies of local organic fertiliser producers. This move, he explained, will allow local producers to produce more to meet the country's fertiliser demand of 600,000 metric tonnes. He reiterated his appeal to the other local producers in the organic fertiliser production space to encourage their foreign partners to come and set up plants in the country, adding that apart from boosting production, it will also generate employment. In a brief address, the Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, disclosed that by the end of the year, his 20 Integrated Recycling and Compost Plants (IRECoPs) all together will produce 150,000 metric tonnes of compost annually. He stated that a team of experts was in place to enhance the quality of the compost by his companies to inure to the benefit of farmers. "We have also dedicated some funds for research work to make sure that the quality of our compost is not compromised," he noted. While commending the minister for the visit, he appealed for more of such engagements. "Such visits by you, Honourable Minister, spur us on as entrepreneurs to continue to come out with more innovations and give our best for the country,"' he said. He explained that this was in view of the fact that the ongoing construction of 16 IRECoPs across the country will be completed by the end of the year. For his part, the Managing Director of ACARP, Michael Padi-Tuwor, disclosed that his outfit currently supplies organic fertilisers to farmers across all the 16 regions of the country. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Controller-General of Ghana Immigration Service, Kwame Asuah Takyi has lauded the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) for leading the conversation on the review of the 4th Republican Constitution. The Immigration boss affirmed this at the Constitution Week event of the NCCE which was organized for Officers of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) last Monday on the theme “Three Decades of Constitutional Rule; Revisiting the Agenda for Reforms”. According to the Controller-General, an astute lawyer, an unexamined Constitution was not worth having; and calls for review of certain areas of the Constitution were in the right direction. He encouraged Officers at the event to share their thoughts on the longest surviving Constitution of the country. Speaking at the event, a Commission Member of the NCCE, Victor Brobbey said the Constitution is a national document that embodies the spirit and ideals of the nation and thus requires national consultation in drafting or amendment. “This explains our decision to consult Officers and other Ghanaians on the extent of constitutional reform necessary for the 1992 Constitution”, he explained. He said that there is a sense in which the Constitution is constantly being reformed through the Constitutional role of the Supreme Court in interpreting it; augmenting that the Supreme Court’s method was not exactly the best way to respond to constitutional deficits. The Commission Member made a case for “a more deliberate, systematic and inclusive effort which will lead to better reflection of what the populace really wants as provided by the Constitution in chapter 25.” He insisted that broad public and political consensus through dialogue was fundamental to all forms of constitutional reform, hence the importance of the discussion. By this, the Commission Member implored all participants to freely participate in the dialogue and suggest updates for the constitution. During the dialogue, Deputy Controller-General of Immigration in charge of Command Post and Command Post (DCGI/OPS) Laud K. Affifah recommended some amendments regarding the National Security architecture of the country since the dynamics and importance of Immigration have drastically shifted from how it was 30 years ago. Other proposals were made by Officers and appropriately noted or discussed in the engagement session which was led by Commission Member of NCCE, Victor K. Brobbey. Themes in the recommendations cut across balance of powers of the Arms of Government, appointment of Officials, and more equitable remunerations. Below are some pictures: Story by: ThinkNews Desk Report

Budding actress Spendilove Acheampong has revealed that she is a virgin and will sustain her chastity until she marries. The former child actor spoke to Kwaku Manu on his Aggressive show in a recent interview saying, ”I have matured into a gorgeous young lady and receiving countless love messages and sexual chatting but not really interested and I won’t be. She continued: “I have never had sexual intercourse or never engaged in any sexual activity at all. Am not ready and so am focused to have a fruitful future. I will never allow any actor to have sex with me or even get into fornication until marriage but not saying I will do fornication when marriage. On the same wavelength, budding musician Festus Anderson Eckow Baidoo known professionally as Eckow Hunter has revealed that a list of Afrobeats superstars in Ghana is not complete without his name. Sounding overly confident in his abilities in a fresh interview on BTM Afrika, the budding artiste said his unique style instantly qualifies him to be in the same bracket as Kuame Eugene, Kelvyn Boy, KiDi and a host of others who are doing well with the now dominant genre. The musician who started as a rapper before he transitioned into a vocal powerhouse had this to say; I know I can’t be left out when it comes to Afrobeats. I’m definitely one of the solid pillars when the Afrobeats discussion comes up so I’m pleading with Ghanaians not to sleep on my talent. We want to take Ghana high. Source: www.Ghgossip.com

Shakira and Gerard Pique are one of the most adored couples in Hollywood. However, it seems that the cracks are forming when it comes to the relationship between the two. The ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ singer fell in love with the professional footballer at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It looks as though things aren’t idyllic between the two right now with word that Pique is back living in his calle Muntaner bachelor house in Barcelona. As reported by El Periodico, several neighbours in the building have seen Pique entering and leaving over the last week. It’s also said he’s been enjoying the Barcelona nightlife with friend Riqui Puig and his group of friends The report also adds that the reason Pique is not in the marital home is that Shakira caught him with another woman. This is the reason Pique and Shakira have decided to separate for the moment, while also suggesting the Barcelona defender’s partying is somewhat out of control, added the report in El Periodico. And the partying has seen Pique and friend, accompanied by other women, as well as staying out until two and three in the morning. Pique has also disappeared from Shakira’s social media, with the singer frequently posting pictures of the pair in the past, but the last time that happened was in March. While the 35-year-old footballer is staying in Barcelona, another sign pointing to a crack in Shakira and Pique’s relationship is the lyrics sung by Shakira in her latest hit ‘Te Felicito’ with Rauw Alejandro. She sings, “For completing you I broke into pieces; they warned me, but I did not pay attention. I realized that yours is false; it was the drop that overflowed the glass; do not tell me you’re sorry, that seems sincere, but I know you well and I know you lie. “I congratulate you, how well you act, of that I have no doubt; with your role continues, you look good that show". “I don’t buy that cheap philosophy, I’m sorry, I don’t ride that motorcycle anymore; I can’t stand two-faced people; I used to put my hands on fire for you and you treat me like one more of your whims; your wound didn’t open my skin, but it opened my eyes. “My eyes are red from crying so much for you; and now, it turns out that you are sorry; it sounds sincere, but I know you well and I know that you lie; I congratulate you, how well you act." Additionally, Shakira and Pique have both avoided uploading anything to their social media platforms in recent times as well, something that usually doesn’t bode well. While their 12-year relationship has brought them two children, Milan and Sasha, the couple remains unmarried. Source: news18.com

As a socialist who understands that socialism is also called planned economy I believe in price control as an economic policy which prevents monopoly, Hoarding, Pricing irregularities and which bridges the gap between the rich and the poor. Price control policy is the only way to allow the rich, the middle class and the poor access to the *Same prices* of good and services. Government is a *REGULATOR* and as a regulator and an institution that must champion the well being of the poor, vulnerable and the weak, government is expected to make sure citizens can afford good and services at an *agreed prices*, so that there can a uniformed pricing and stability in as far as demand and supply is concerned Without price control supplies who profit target business men and women can price good and services at their own interest and will. It is lack of price control that is hyping our Ghana's inflation. Prices of goods and services will keep increase dialy and soon basic necessities can be afforded by the rich. Naturally the suppliers will look at higher prices for their supplies, since they are after profit. In situation when they have monopoly power or when there is high demand for their supplies, they will even ruthless and we will hear outrageous prices. It is lack of price control that is why the price of bread is being sold by shop A is different from what is in shop B. Lack of price control will lead to Hoarding of goods and services, waiting for a purchase by those who afford at the desired price of the supplier. Hon Adongo should be educated that, the reason for the failure to implement the price control policy during the AFRC and the PNDC and NDC under Rawlings is because, no one negotiates better under duress. Of course not amid threats on their life, family members and their business. In this modern day democratic dispensation, instituting price control mechanism, will not fail like Hon Adongo is alledging. Government should be encouraged to subsidize alot of things, by removing some taxes on imports and some domestic goods and services which are for essential consumption and services so that they can be part of the price decision of those goods and services in the interest of the poor and the majority. After subsidizing then as a regulator, government can monitor and make sure that prices agreed on are what is in the market. Any supposed socialist who says they are economists who doesn't, see the effect of free for all market economy especially in struggling times in Ghana is another wonder of the world. Credit: Osei Kofi Acquah, National Youth Organizer, CPP NB: Views shared are solely that the author and not of Thinknewsonline.com. Thinknewsonline.com can not be sued for any contempt views.

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has inaugurated a 5-member Audit Committee pursuant to Section 86 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921). This mandates all entities in the public sector to establish an Audit Committee. The Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), Dr. Eric Oduro Osae, speaking at a short inaugural ceremony in Accra, congratulated members of the former Committee for their exemplary reporting and high professional standards with which they executed their mandate. He charged the new Committee members to bring to bear their professional knowledge and expertise in their new roles. He further admonished them to work with the Board, Management and the Internal Audit Unit of EOCO in the performance of their duties. He added that the IAA was mainstreaming Enterprise Risk Management in all public institutions and therefore called on the committee members to support EOCO to implement good risk management strategies. This would enable the EOCO to anticipate risks even before they occur. He added that the firefighting way was not the way to go. He emphasized the need also for performance audit, stating that most institutions focused more on the financial aspect of auditing, which did not eventually make for a holistic auditing process. Dr. Oduro Osae, citing an MOU with EOCO, reiterated the support of the Internal Audit Agency in the fight against corruption. The members of the newly inaugurated Audit Committee are Mr. Alhassan Fuseini (representative from the IAA), Mr. Osei Kwaku Adjaye-Gyamfi (representative from the Institute of Chartered Accountants- Ghana), Mr. Kenneth Adu-Amanfoh (Member-EOCO Board), COP George Alex Mensah (Member- EOCO Board) and the Chairman in the person of Mr. Joshua Magnus Nicol (also a representative from the IAA). The Chairman, in his remark assured the old Committee of their commitment to the continuation of the mandate. He further pledged that members would perform their new roles with professionalism in accordance with best practices. The Audit Committee will ensure that the management of EOCO pursues the implementation of any recommendations contained in internal audit reports, Parliament’s decision on the Auditor-General’s Report, Auditor-General’s Management Letter; and the report of an internal Audit Department, in relation to financial matters raised and any other related directives. Also in attendance at the inauguration were the Executive Director of EOCO, COP. Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah and her deputies; Mr. Charles Nana Antwi and Madam Aba J. Opoku together with the Heads of the Internal Audit and Finance Units of EOCO. COP Addo-Danquah expressed appreciation for the sterling work of the old Committee and assured the new Committee of the full support and cooperation of her administration. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith