The Justices of the Supreme Court this week dismissed the election petition filed by the 2020 NDC Presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama.

The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision on Thursday dismissed the election petition, saying it lacked merit.

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described the victory of President Akufo-Addo at the apex court as fair.

However, former President John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress disagreed with the judgment saying: "I disagree with the suggestions of our Justices that an election petition is as keen to any other civil litigation and therefore an EC chairperson whose function goes to the heart of our democracy can by legal sleight of hand avoid accounting for her stewardship in an appropriate forum such as the highest court of the land."

Ahead of the judgement, the Justices of the Supreme Court cautioned the media and the general public to be circumspect in their discussions of the matter.

Takoradi girls

Also, a Sekondi high court has sentenced two suspects to death for kidnapping and murdering four girls in Takoradi in 2018.

The suspects; Samuel Udeotuk Wills and John Oji were charged for kidnapping and murdering Ruth Abakah, 19; Priscilla Blessing Bentum, 21; Ruth Love Quayson,18 and Priscilla Koranchie, 15.

After nearly two years of hearing the case, the seven-member jury found the two offenders guilty of committing the crime.

Presiding over the case was Justice Richard Adjei-Frimpong who sentenced the two individuals to death by hanging. The suspects, however, may appeal the judgment within 30 days should they choose to do so.

Meanwhile, Francis Bentum, a relative to one of the victims does not believe that the court's decision brings justice to the family. The return of his grandaughter according to him, is the only thing that will bring him justice and satisfaction.

Domelevo retired

After the brouhaha of forced leave, President Akufo-Addo has directed the now-former Auditor-General, Daniel Domelevo to proceed on retirement.

According to a statement signed by Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, the directive stems from a statement by the Audit Service Board to Mr Domelevo indicating a disparity in the age.

"The attention of the President of the Republic has been drawn to records and documents made available to this Office by the Audit Service, that indicate that your date of birth is 1st June, 1960, and that in accordance with article 199 (1) of the Constitution, your date of retirement as Auditor-General was 1st June, 2020."

The Audit Service Board alleged that records at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) provided by the Auditor-General indicated that his date of birth was 1960 when he joined the scheme on October 1, 1978.

Again the record also showed that the hometown of Mr. Domelevo is Agbetofe in Togo; making him non-Ghanaian but on October 25, 1993, some changes were made.

While the date of birth changed to June 1, 1961, the hometown of the Auditor-General was now Ada in the Greater Accra Region.

But explaining the purported anomalies, Mr. Domelevo said his grandfather was a native of Ada in the Greater Accra Region but migrated to Togo and stayed at Agbetofe.

Following the President's decision, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), is urging President Akufo-Addo to set-up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations levelled against Daniel Yao Domelevo.

Covid-19 Vaccination

On the issue of Covid-19, the country has commenced its vaccination exercise.

Vaccinations against Covid-19 started across the country with President Akufo-Addo and the First Lady taking the first shot.

The president gave the assurance that the vaccines are safe.

Vice President Dr Bawumia also took the jabs with the Second Lady asking Ghanaians to ignore all conspiracy theories about the vaccines and get vaccinated when the health team gets to their communities. 

Meanwhile, some Ghanaians who have taken the jabs have started complaining of fever, headache and dizziness.

Nonetheless, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) continues to assure the nation that the vaccines are safe and the side effects are normal.