This week ended with the sad news of the death of Nelson Mandela, the man who made great strides in the defeat of racism in South Africa. 

Below is a list of top stories within the week that you may have missed. Click on the headlines to read more.

Saturday November 30, 2013

I pity John Mahama – Kwesi Pratt

Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. says President John Mahama may end up as Ghana’s loneliest president in history.

Death toll in Ashanti Region accidents increases

The death toll in two separate accidents in the Ashanti Region on Friday rose to fifteen.

Berlusconi accused of bribing sex trial witnesses

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi faces a new inquiry after a court judgment accused him of bribing witnesses at his prostitution trial.

Tobinco, FDA rift: NPP man proposes way foward

A member of the  Communications team of the New Patriotic Party is demanding a new regulatory regime in which heads of companies found in breach of laws would be punished without necessarily destroying the reputation of the company.

 

 

 

 

Tsikata defended Societe Generale's 40 million debt claim in 1998- Baako quotes GNPC board minutes

Editor in Chief of the Crusading Guide newspaper Kweku Baako Jnr has produced copies of Board minutes of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) in which he claimed former boss of the Corporation Tsatsu Tsikata defended a 40 million debt claim by Societe Generale.

Sunday December 1, 2013

Bank of Ghana launches policy reforms in banking sector

Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Henry Kofi Wampah has announced strings of pertinent policy guidelines intended to reform the banking sector.

Trade Minister challenges TUC to emulate Mahama’s 10% pay cut

Minister for Trade and Industry, Haruna Iddrisu has challenged the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to take a cue from the executive’s decision to donate 10 percent of their salary to support maternal care.

 

 

 

 

Asamoah Gyan wins Tourism Ambassador of the Year

The Captain of the national team, the Black Stars, has been adjudged the Tourism Ambassador of the Year at his year's National Tourism Awards held at the State Banquet Hall in Accra.

Passenger train crashes in New York

A passenger train has crashed in the Bronx area of New York City, and US media are reporting that at least four people have been killed.

Russia: Why is Putin always late?

Vladimir Putin's legendary lateness is back in the spotlight after he kept Pope Francis waiting during a recent visit to the Vatican. What lies behind his chronic tardiness?

Rawlings criticises over-dramatization in local movies

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has expressed worry about what he describes as a false representation of real issues bedeviling the Ghanaian society in local movies.

US actor Paul Walker dies in crash

US actor Paul Walker, who starred in the Fast & Furious series of action films, has been killed in a car crash in California.

Mahama descends on critics: Cut your pay by 2% for Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama has taken a swipe at his critics for ridiculing his 10% pay cut as announced in the 2014 budget statement.

 

 

 

 

 

FDA’s Dr Opuni is now COCOBOD boss

Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Chief Executive Dr. Stephen K. Opuni is the new Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

Monday December 2, 2013

Vicky Hamah fails to show up at Vikileaks Committee

The immediate past Deputy Communications Minister, Victoria Hamah has failed to appear before a committee set up to investigate her claims that the 2012 Election Petition verdict was compromised.

Mahama never stopped Merchant Bank from recovering loan from Engineers and Planners –Ayariga

Information Minister, Mahama Ayariga has denied claims the president prevented Merchant Bank from recovering a debt owed it by Engineers and Planners, a company owned by Ibrahim Mahama, brother to the president.

Police gun down 3 suspected armed robbers

Three men, believed to be armed robbers, have been shot dead by the Police at East Cantonments after they allegedly attacked a house there.

School for the Deaf to close down over Ghc 14,000 rent

The only Technical School for the Deaf  in Ghana risk losing their current place of study if a 14,000 Ghana cedis rent fees are not settled by close of this week.

Ghana's public debt hits GHC46.1 billion

The country's public debt hit 46.1 billion Ghana cedis as at the end of  September this year.

After 2.5% VAT: Government introduces 27 fresh levies

The Scandal newspaper has catalogued the number of new levies introduced by government barely two weeks since the Parliament of Ghana passed into law a 2.5% upward adjustment in VAT.

Ghanaian children exposed to toxic lead contained in toys - UN report

A United Nations report has revealed that young children and pregnant women in developing countries including Ghana are exposed to high levels of toxic lead in paints used to decorate toys.

Ghanaian stars lost out at Channel O awards

Ghanaian artistes who were nominated for this year’s Channel O MVAs brought home no award.

Teacher found dead in her room

Residents of Breman-Nkwantwima in Kumasi are shocked over the mysterious death of a female teacher whose body was found in her room early Monday morning.

Hannah Tetteh, Komla Dumor, other Ghanaians among 100 Most Influential Africans 2013

Five prominent Ghanaians have been listed among the 100 most influential Africans for the year 2013.

Reassignment of Nunoo-Mensah and Opuni has nothing to do with their conduct; says Gov't

Government says the reassignment of ex-National Security Advisor as well as immediate past CEO of the FDA, has nothing to do with their conduct while in office.

Refund of electricity bills starts this month

Refund of electricity bills based on the recently increased. 79 per cent tariff which was reduced by 25 per cent begins this month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You need a bulldozer to uproot me – Nunoo-Mensah replies critics

Former National Security Advisor, Brigadier General Nunoo-Mensah (retired), has told his critics his new role as head of Human Security unit of the National Security Secretariat cannot amount to a demotion.

Ivory Coast hit squads target opponents in Ghana

Ivory Coast sent hit squads to Ghana to kill followers of former strongman Laurent Gbagbo and paid Liberian mercenaries not to stage cross-border attacks for Gbagbo, a UN report said.

Ghana’s problem is management not money – Former World Bank Director

A former country Director of the World Bank says Ghana’s problem is  the lack of efficient management on the part of its leaders and not a lack of money for funding development projects.

Awuni withdraws suit against sale of Merchant Bank at Fast Track Court but...

Andrew Awuni, Executive Director of Centre for Freedom and Accuracy, has “instructed” his solicitors to discontinue his suit against the sale of Merchant Bank to private equity fund, Fortiz, at the Fast Track High Court.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ivory Coast's Toure wins BBC award

Yaya Toure won the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

Tuesday December 3, 2013

Head teachers forced to refund excess BECE fees

Mr Godwin Addo, the Kwaebibirem District Director of Education, has directed all head-teachers in the area, who collected above the approved Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) fees, to refund the extra amount latest by Friday.

Money burns miraculously in church offering bowl

Members of the African Faith Tabernacle could not believe their eyes when a GH¢2.00 note started burning in an offering bowl during church service at the weekend.

President Mahama announces renegotiation of  mineral agreements

President John Dramani Mahama on Monday said government would embark on a renegotiation exercise with companies, especially those in the extractive industry on new stability agreements.

Ghana to take the lead in local production of antiretroviral drugs

Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur  said Ghana had taken a pioneering role to actualize the African Union (AU) action plan on local production of Antiretroviral Drugs (ARVs) for persons living with HIV and AIDS.

Over 140 teachers abandon class over 3 months unpaid salary

Some 149 teachers in the Bunprugu Yooyo district of the Northern Region have abandoned the classroom to protest nonpayment of their salaries since September this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swaziland bans MPs from divorce – report

Members of Parliament in Swaziland have reportedly been banned from divorcing and those who are currently in the process of getting a divorce have been urged to hold off until their term of office ends.

Long way to the Eco as convergence remains elusive      

Ghana is set to miss key convergence indicators necessary for a common currency in the West Africa Monetary Zone (WAMZ), which could prove to be a further drawback on the bumpy road to creating a second monetary union in the West African sub-region by 2015.

Banks to suffer stiffer punishment

The Bank of Ghana is seeking more powers under Foreign Exchange Act 2006,(Act 723), to enable it to impose stiffer sanctions on banks and forex bureau operators that flout the law with impunity.

Scrap nurses trainee allowance - Akosah

Clinical Pathologist, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosah, has called on the government to scrap the payment of nurses trainee allowance.

Microsoft announces first African female country manager

Microsoft has announced the appointment of Otema Yirenkyi as the company’s first Country Manager for Ghana.

 

 

 

 

Owner of Tobinco charged with obstructing police duty

The police have formally charged the Executive Chairman of Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Company (Tobinco) Limited, Samuel Tobin with obstructing police officers from performing their lawful duty.

Gov't intervention in E&P, Merchant Bank saga: Let’s shred Mahama’s code of ethics - Tarzan

A policy analyst, Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby says President John Dramani Mahama has dented his credibility by intervening in a feud between his brother’s company and the state-owned Merchant Bank.

Gov't declares "zero tolerance for absenteeism"

Government says it will no longer tolerate teachers who refuse to go to the classrooms but continue draw their salaries.

CJ's committee on Vikileaks unconstitutional - Martin Amidu

Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Martin Amidu has questioned the constitutionality of the Committee set up by the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood to investigate allegations of judicial misconduct contained in a secret tape of sacked deputy Communications Minister, Victoria Hamah. 

Pratt blasts Ayariga over Merchant Bank

The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Mr Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has criticised aspects of Information Minister Mr Mahama Ayariga’s response to reports that the Presidency prevented Merchant Bank from retrieving  a loan it gave to Engineers and Planners – a mining firmed owned by President John Mahama’s brother, Ibrahim Mahama.

Joy FM Family Party in the Park rescheduled for December 21

The much anticipated Joy FM Family Party in the Park which was billed to come off on December 7 at the Efua Sutherland Park, has been rescheduled.

Merchant Bank sale is not as simple as selling Banku or Kenkey- KPMG

Senior partner at the KPMG Joe Winful has defended their role as transaction advisors in what has become the controversial sale of Merchant Bank to equity fund, Fortiz.

 

 

 

 

Ghana's new rank in Corruption Perception Index not a reprieve - Vitus Azeem

The Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, Vitus Azeem, says the comparatively better rating received by Ghana in the latest Corruption Perception Index should not be grounds for celebration.

VRA suspends 500 million dollar bond issue

The Volta River Authority has put on hold, plans to issue a 500 million dollar bond in January next year.

Documents: E&P petition to the president and Merchant Bank Board's response

Find here the petition written by lawyer for Engineers & Planners, Tony Lithur, to the Presidency to intervene on behalf of the company, owned by President John Mahama's brother, Ibrahim Mahama.

Minority demands inquiry into Mahama's involvement in Merchant Bank, E&P saga

Minority Members on Parliament’s Judicial Committee are demanding an inquiry into President John Mahama’s alleged intervention in Merchant Bank’s recovery of a debt owed his brother’s company, Engineers and Planners.

Kwakye Ofosu damns Awuni, Multimedia over Merchant Bank sale controversy

Deputy Information Minister Felix Kwakye-Ofosu, is accusing Andrew Awuni, head of the Centre for Freedom and Accuracy and former presidential spokesperson of double standards.

Clarification and apology

It came to the notice of Myjoyonline that the headline of our story of December 2, 2013, “Presidency stopped Merchant Bank from recovering debts from company owned by president’s brother” was not exactly accurate.

FDA directs Tobinco to re-export substandard drugs

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says it has granted pharmaceutical giant, Tobinco, the permission to repatriate unregistered drugs it imported into the country.

Wednesday December 4, 2013

K'si market fire report inconclusive - President reveals

President John Mahama has revealed that US experts' investigations into market fires have established that the Makola Market fire was caused by illegal electrical connection but that of the Kumasi market was inconclusive.

VRA T3 will never work till gods are pacified - chiefs, elders

The chiefs and elders of 3 communities who own the lands for the Aboadze Thermal Plant in the western region say the T3 power plant generators will never produce power again until the gods in the area are pacified.

Nation faces serious crises – IEA

A research fellow of the Institute of  Economic Affairs (lEA), Dr Ransford Gyampoh, has stated that the  country faces a serious national  identity management crises.

Hannah Tetteh, Komla Dumor, other Ghanaians among 100 Most Influential Africans 2013

Five prominent Ghanaians have been listed among the 100 most influential Africans for the year 2013.

Tony Aidoo slams Kufuor for 'carelessly' selling gov't's 'golden shares' in AGC to Anglogold

Head of Policy Monitoring and Evaluation at the Presidency, Dr. Joe Tony Aidoo says former president John Agyekum Kufuor behaved irresponsibly by selling government's 25 per cent "golden shares" in  Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC).

Gov’t accuses Joy FM of promoting regime change as Myjoyonline apologises for inaccurate headline

The government has accused Joy FM of deliberate publication of false stories designed to make it unpopular and promote regime change in the country.

Mahama never stopped Merchant Bank from recovering E&P’s debt – Baako

The Editor in Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has challenged the board members of Merchant Bank to prove President John Mahama prevented them from recovering a debt his brothers company Engineers and Planners (E&P), owed the bank .

I signed drill ship documents under bizarre circumstances – Chris Kpodo

The former Ghana High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Chris Kpodo has described as bizarre circumstances under which he was made to append his signature to documents selling off the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation’s drill ship in 2001 as a witness.

 

 

 

Fortiz completes acquisition of Merchant Bank; vows to pursue debtors

Private equity fund, Fortiz announced that it has completed the acquisition of Merchant Bank.

Harry Sawyerr's funeral in limbo

The Akwamu Traditional Council has given family of the late Harry Sawyerr up to the end of this week to amend the funeral programme or face disruption of the funeral slated for December 21, this year.

Woyome, Drill Ship flu attacks Parliament; K.T Hammond fumes

The floor of Parliament was on Wednesday turned into a play ground of chants,  catcalls and insults as partisan Members of Parliament tried to outdo each other on which of the two leading parties- governing National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party is more corrupt.

Thursday December 5, 2013

Ghanaians may be consuming GMOs already – FDA

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says it is possible Genetically Modified (GM) foods could already have found their way into the country.

Infrastructure mustn't displace agric - PwC warns in budget commentary

Government's efforts to narrow the country's infrastructure deficit by boosting spending on roads projects should not be to the detriment of agriculture, which holds the biggest potential for curbing rising unemployment, PwC - the accounting, audit and tax firm - has said in a commentary on the 2014 budget.

Counterfeit currency dealer arrested at Alajo

A suspected currency dealer has been arrested for possessing counterfeit GHC 50 notes  amounting to GHC 97,350 at Alajo in Accra.

Kufuor: I did not sell Ghana's 'golden shares' in AGC

Former president John Agyekum Kufuor has described as inaccurate, the claim that his administration gave away a substantial amount of Ghana's interest in Ashanti Goldfields Company to Anglogold Ashanti.

Gov't suspends taskforce on pirated textiles; traders excited

The Textile Workers Union has expressed surprise at a new government directive to suspend the activities of the taskforce mandated to check the influx of pirated textiles.

Court orders KMA to return Kejetia terminal to Freko FD

A high court in Kumasi in the Ashanti region, has given city authorities five days to return management of the Kejetia Lorry Terminal to private managers, FREKO FD.   

Awuni lacks locus to sue against Merchant Bank sale; Fortiz tells court

Private equity Fund, Fortiz today defended its acquisition of Merchant Bank at the High Court, Commercial Division, over a suit brought against it and 12 others.

Sale of Merchant Bank to Fortiz not yet done – BoG

The Bank of Ghana says it is yet to give its final approval to Fortiz’s takeover of Merchant Bank.

Mahama bans Christmas hampers

President John Dramani Mahama has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to desist from using public resources for Christmas and New Year gifts such as hampers during the upcoming yuletide.

Akufo-Addo will win NPP primaries if he contests- Ben Ephson

Pollster Ben Ephson says Nana Akufo-Addo still remains the most popular candidate within the New Patriotic Party and will win the party's flagbearership race if he decides to contest.

Lawyer warns Fortiz over Merchant Bank acquisition

Senior lecturer in banking law, Moses Foh-Amoaning has advised lawyers for Fortiz to avoid actions that may be contemptuous of the court, hearing the case challenging the acquisition of Merchant Bank.

Headmaster sacked, four to follow for charging unapproved fees

Headmaster of Toase Senior High School in the Ashanti Region, Annor Yeboah, has been sacked for charging unapproved fees for the 2013/14 academic year.

Fire outbreak: Catholic priest narrowly escapes death

Minister in charge of the Catholic Church at Drobonso in the Ashanti Region narrowly escaped death when fire gutted the mission house where he resides.

Friday December 6, 2013

Nelson Mandela is dead

South Africa's first black president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has died, South Africa's president says.

Mandela taught Africa to forgive - Prez. Mahama

President John Mahama arrived in Paris, France to news of the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela. Mr. Mahama who was attending a two-day summit on peace and security in Africa spent the early part of his arrival in Paris to finalise a short piece in celebration of Mandela and published by the New York Times. Click to read full article

We have lost a pillar of sincerity in global affairs - President Rawlings extols Mandela's legacy

Former President, Jerry Rawlings, has eulogised Nelson Mandela who passed away Thursday evening.

Farmers' Day: Farmers, fisherfolks receive honours

Farmers and Fishermen across the country will be honoured Friday for their contribution to food security and national development.

Correctional facility hit by water shortage; inmates go weeks without a bath

Severe water shortage has hit the Senior Correctional Centre here in Accra, forcing inmates to go weeks without a bath.

World leaders pay tribute:  Mandela "made racism look stupid"

World leaders are paying tribute to former South African president Nelson Mandela who has died at age 95.

Mandela's  glorious passing, expected but shocking – Kufuor

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has described the passing away of 95-year-old Nelson Mandela as "expected but shocking".

Alhaji Awudu Karim is 2013 National Best Farmer

58-year-old Alhaji Awudu Karim from the Kasena Nankana District of the Upper East region has been adjudged the 2013 National Best Farmer.

Veep directs all flags to fly at half mast in honour of Nelson Mandela

Vice President, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has directed that all flags in the country should fly at half mast in honour of Nelson Mandela, former South African President who passed away on Thursday.

 

 

 

 

World Cup finals: Ghana drawn in 'Group of death'

Ghana has been drawn in what pundits say is the 'Group of death' with Germany, United States of America and Portugal for the 2014 World Cup finals to be staged in Brazil.