Business News of Thursday, 21 July 2022Source: www.ghanaweb.comPolice officers top list of bribe takers in Ghana17.4 million bribes were paid to public officials in 202125.9% of respondents have had contact with public officials in 2021A report on corruption and bribery in Ghana has disclosed that more than 17.4 million bribes were paid to public officials in 2021. The maiden national survey, titled: “Corruption in Ghana – people’s experiences and views” was put together by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, in partnership with the Ghana Statistical Service and with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). However, the prevalence of bribery according to the report is highest in relation to police officers (53.2 percent), followed by Ghana Immigration Service Officers (37.4 percent) and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Officers (33.6 percent). Here are the top ten public officials who take the most bribes according to CHRAJ and the Ghana Statistical Service. Ghana Immigration Service officers (37.4%)3.

General News of Wednesday, 20 July 2022Source: www.ghanaweb.comWe’re able to complete our education because of our allowance, TraineesGhana goes to IMFGovt has decided to cancel nursing, teacher trainee allowances, Captain Smart allegesThe Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG), has appealed to the government not to cancel the teacher trainee allowance as some Ghanaians have suggested to reduce the government’s expenditure. I say this because when the allowance is cancelled, thousands of students who really depend on the allowance for survival will be side-lined. Also, Renowned broadcaster, Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, has described the nursing and teacher trainee allowances being implemented by the government as the most useless policy Ghana has ever had. According to him, the trainee allowance policies are not equitable and were made by the government just to score political points. “You did need the IMF to tell you to cancel trainee allowance.

Ghana has been ranked 2nd in the world by Bloomberg with the highest debt default risk. The debt to GDP, is estimated at 84.6% by the end of this year. Together with Brazil, Ghana’s interest expense to GDP is projected to hit seven-point-two percent in the period under review, the highest among the 25 countries, captured by Bloomberg. The International Monetary Fund, IMF has warned that more than 30% of emerging and developing countries are near debt distress, with 60% from developing economies. Source: ghanaweb.comDisclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com.

An aide to the Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya has refuted claims that the MP has avoided honouring the invitation extended to her by the Privileges Committee of the legislature. Sarah Adwoa Safo, who doubles as the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, was summoned by the Privileges Committee to answer for absenting herself from parliament for more than 15 sittings without the permission of the Speaker. She, however, failed to honour the Committee's invitation even though an opportunity was given to her to honour the invitation virtually from her current base in America. Adwoa Safo and two other MPs were referred to the privileges committee by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, for absenting from the house. Kennedy Agyapong and Henry Quartey honoured the Committee’s invitation and attributed their absence to ill health.

The MP, speaking at a July 19, 2022 press conference in Parliament said he had shed tears all day after visiting Asmodwee Park, where Mills was buried. Vanderpuye, flanked by other Minority MPs were part of the presser originally addressed by Samuel Atta Mills, brother of the late President, who is also an MP. He lamented serially the upgrades around the tomb and charged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to instruct the state agency supporting the upgrades to cease and desist from acts that hurt the Atta Mills family. When Vanderpuye took his turn, he submitted: “This is how the grave looks like as at today when we visited the place. “I have asked Sammy and Cadman (brothers of Atta Mills), we have asked the family and know member of the family was informed of such desecration and disrespect of the grave of the man who made all of us,” he lamented.

In her suit, Ama Serwaa indicated that she and Issaka, both migrant workers, first met in Italy. Finally, the plaintiff (Ama Serwaa) sought general damages for the deprivation and any other relief from Issaka Hashimu, on the orders of the court. But Ama Serwaa refused to concede defeat, taking the case to the apex court of the land; the Supreme Court. In her December 2019 case at the Supreme Court, she convinced the five-member panel constituted of Justices Yonny Kulendi, Agnes Dordzie (Mrs), and Lovelace Johnson (Ms) with her case. In their unanimous decision, the Supreme Court held that the plaintiff, Ama Serwaa, on a balance of probabilities, had proven her claim against the defendant.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, alias Chairman Wontumi, a longtime campaigner for John Boadu's re-election led that endorsement bid. He stated among others that John Boadu was a tried and tested handed and could be trusted with running the party for another tenure. John Boadu. So who was the only regional chairman who abstained? I will be General Secretary for all - KoduaThe NPP national executives conference ended with a shock as Justin Frimpong Kodua defeated John Boadu to emerge as the General Secretary.

The lecturer stressed that despite Asiedu Nketia's long service and experience in and out of government, Kodua's legal background will also play greatly to his advantage. In an interview with Accra-based Onua FM on Monday, July 18, Dr. Osei-Owusu said the two gentlemen were unique in their own ways but also that Kodua had enough capabilities to challenge Asiedu Nketia on any platform any day, any time. “I don’t think Justin Kodua has any contest with Asiedu Nketia. Asiedu Nketia has been General Secretary of the NDC since 2005 and is rumoured to be considering the Chairmanship slot when the party goes to the next Congress. Kodua is now starting his frontline role in national party administration after beating John Boadu at the NPP's just-ended National Delegates Conference held at the Accra Sports Stadium.

According to him, he is surprised there are some Ghanaians who still believe in the predictions of Ben Ephson. He said, Ephson's "voodoo" polls always goes in favour of the highest bidder and not in correct scientific systematic research methods. He noted that, believers of Ephson's projections are the same people who believe President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is a "messiah". On his Facebook timeline, Sam George wrote:"Those who still take Ben Ephson serious are those who still believe that Nana Addo is the messiah. If you pay him, you would win in his voodoo polls.

Speaking in an interview with Angel FM on July 18, Chairman Wontumi said he was feeling very good despite John Boadu’s loss. It is only John Boadu who couldn’t win but in all, it is very very good for democracy. It is the NPP that has won,” Chairman Wontumi narrated. In another video, Chairman Wontumi said whoever will contest the then incumbent General Secretary will only be wasting his or her money. Other winners on the day were Stephen Ayensu Ntim- National Chairman, Vice Chairman- Danquah Smith Buttey, Rita Asobayire- 2nd Vice Chairman, Alhaji Masawuud – 3rd Vice Chairman, Henry Nana Boakye- National Organiser, Kate Gyamfua-National Women Organiser, National Nasara Coordinator- Abdul Aziz Haruna Futah, National Youth Organiser, Salam Mohammed Mustafa and Treasurer, Dr Charles Dwamena.

The police after realizing that the suspect they had was the AC Milan midfielder gave a surprising look before releasing him. ?pic.twitter.com/rEwLvD2qBy — Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) July 18, 2022Shocking footage of Milan’s Bakayoko in Milan’s downtown held at gunpoint by police cause taken for someone else. ?”pic.twitter.com/B0PTYiXnc5 — Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) July 18, 2022Italian police pulled AC Milan’s Bakayoko over to search him until they realized it was him. The player, who has recently won Serie A with AC Milan, was pulled over by the Milan Police. #MatchdayAfrica pic.twitter.com/5s76TUtDOb — MATCHDAY AFRICA (@matchday_africa) July 18, 2022AC Milan’s Tiémoué Bakayoko in Milan’s by police as he was mistaken for another person.

Politics of Tuesday, 19 July 2022Source: www.ghanaweb.comNPP elects new national executivesChairman Wontumi, 14 regional chairmen endorse John BoaduKennedy Agyapong asks Wontumi to 'cool down'Ashanti Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako (alias Chairman Wontumi) has responded to a critique of Kennedy Agyapong, against him leading fourteen (14) other regional chairmen to endorse John Boadu. In an interview with Angel FM, Chairman Wontumi contended that everybody has an opinion that can be shared on a variety of issues if one belongs to a party. “At 12 o’clock today [July 18], all regional chairmen will be meeting our national Chairman and the General Secretary to call on NEC. The conduct of Chairman Wontumi did not please Kennedy Agyapong who said it was wrong for them to have openly endorsed a candidate. To this end, he asked Chairman Wontumi to ‘cool down’ as he was not the owner of NPP.

Rita Talata Asobayire:At the 2022 National Executives Conference of the NPP, Rita Asobayire polled 2,927 to become the 2nd Vice Chairperson, as against her earlier position as the 1st Vice Chairperson. Rita was the first elected National Women’s Organizer in 200211. Rita was re-elected National Women’s Organizer in 200512. At the national level, she became a deputy national women’s organizer in the year 2012–2014. She is also a member of the National executive council of our great party and a member of the National Council of patrons.

Veronica Ayele Bekoe is the name behind the famous Veronica bucket. Also, the Veronica bucket has been instrumental in the fight against COVID-19 by promoting hand washing with soap under running water. Sharing how she came up with the Veronica bucket, Veronica recounts that she discovered the idea through a sanitation problem whiles working at the public reference laboratory. In an interview, Veronica revealed that the name ‘Veronica bucket’ was proposed by Joan Hetrick, who was impressed with Veronica’s creativity and problem-solving abilities. During the time she worked in the Ghana Health Service, Veronica was the prime person for the National AIDS/STI Control Program.

General News of Sunday, 17 July 2022Source: www.ghanaweb.comA female MP who was in London for two years was protected, Adwoa Safo allegesAdwoa Safo congratulates new NPP executivesAdwoa Safo calls for unity in the NPPDome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo has said that she remains committed to the NPP and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. We did this on compassionate grounds because it involved Children and didn’t go around making hues and crying about her absence. This is just one example of how we protected one of our own as Leaders in Parliament,” she said. Also, Adwoa Safo congratulated the newly elected national executive of the NPP and called on party members to unite so that the NPP will ‘Break the Eight’ in the 2024 election. View the MP's full Facebook post below:Meanwhile, GhanaWeb is accepting nominations for the prestigious GhanaWeb Excellence Awards – Youth Edition.