Day: March 21, 2024

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commiserated with the family of the late Dr John Kumah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ejisu and Deputy Finance Minister, after being officially informed of his demise.

In his eulogy, the President said the late Minister, whose death was reported on March 07, this year, was a vibrant member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), and had the potential to reach the peak of his political life.

He was a truthful and hardworking young man, he said of the deceased, describing his death as painful.

The family of the late Minister, led by Kwasi Owusu Twumasi, the Spokesperson, and accompanied by some NPP executives, on Wednesday, March 20, paid a courtesy call on the President, at the Jubilee House, Accra, to officially inform him of the death.

He was given details of the sudden passing of the Minister as well as the one-week funeral observation, scheduled for March 28, this year, at Ejisu-Onwe in the Ashanti Region.

President Nana Akufo-Addo assured that he would be at
tending the one-week funeral rites of the late Minister.

He had earlier in a tribute to the deceased, posted on social media, noted that: ‘He was a Ghanaian patriot par excellence’.

‘His unwavering dedication to service, his tireless commitment to the betterment of our nation, and his profound passion for uplifting the lives of the people of Ejisu and Ghana were evident to all who had the privilege of knowing him.’

The President said he was saddened by the sudden exit of the Deputy Finance Minister, ‘whose untimely passing has left us all bereft of a bright, energetic light in our midst’.

Source: Ghana News Agency

By Charity Nginyu

Former Indomitable Lion and football icon, Njitap Fotso Geremie Sorele, has filed for divorce from his wife, Toukam Fotso Laure, daughter of the late billionaire, Fotso Victor, citing a series of distressing allegations that have rocked the public.

The dissolution of their union, according to court documents obtained by our sources, is Toukam Fotso Laure’s alleged deceit regarding the parentage of their twin children. Born on June 5, 2008, four years before their marriage, Toukam presented the twins as her own, misleading Njitap into believing they were their biological offspring.

Shockingly, a paternity test later revealed that the twins were sired by Toukam’s previous partner, forcing her to confess to the deception and urging Njitap to allow visitations with their biological father.

According to Njitap, the marriage, initially promised harmony and excitement, but quickly devolved into a nightmare.

The said document indicates that Toukam resorted to derogatory insults, labeling Njitap
as a ‘low neighborhood furrower’ and subjecting him to verbal abuse, while also barring him from their marital bedroom, compelling him to seek refuge in other parts of their residence.

This high-profile divorce case has captured public attention, shedding light on the complexities of relationships within affluent circles and the painful consequences of deception and emotional abuse within marriages.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

By Charity Nginyu

Former Indomitable Lion and football icon, Njitap Fotso Geremie Sorele, has filed for divorce from his wife, Toukam Fotso Laure, daughter of the late billionaire, Fotso Victor, citing a series of distressing allegations that have rocked the public.

The dissolution of their union, according to court documents obtained by our sources, is Toukam Fotso Laure’s alleged deceit regarding the parentage of their twin children. Born on June 5, 2008, four years before their marriage, Toukam presented the twins as her own, misleading Njitap into believing they were their biological offspring.

Shockingly, a paternity test later revealed that the twins were sired by Toukam’s previous partner, forcing her to confess to the deception and urging Njitap to allow visitations with their biological father.

According to Njitap, the marriage, initially promised harmony and excitement, but quickly devolved into a nightmare.

The said document indicates that Toukam resorted to derogatory insults, labeling Njitap
as a ‘low neighborhood furrower’ and subjecting him to verbal abuse, while also barring him from their marital bedroom, compelling him to seek refuge in other parts of their residence.

This high-profile divorce case has captured public attention, shedding light on the complexities of relationships within affluent circles and the painful consequences of deception and emotional abuse within marriages.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Forestry Commission is set to create awareness this year by educating basic school children on importance of forest and wildlife protection.

The awareness creation is to commemorate this year’s International Day of Forest which is on the theme; ‘Forest and Innovation’, and aimed at highlighting the critical role of innovation in sustainable forest management and conservation.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, on Thursday said the Forestry Commission would have a quiz competition among Lamashegu Block ‘A’ primary, Sakasaka Basic School, Savnnnah International School and Tamale International school.

It would also have a press tour of the Commission’s nurseries and planted sites, It would also commemorate tree planting exercises, Debate competitions and exhibitions.

It said there would be sensitisation programmes and media interactions across the country, highlighting the importance of reforestation and afforestation in combating climate and restoring degraded forest landscape.

It said t
he public must stop illegal logging, mining and bushfires to be able to protect our environment against any global shocks.

It called for innovative measures to curtail the numerous threats that face the forests.

‘The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Forestry Commission invites the general public to join them to celebrate the InternInternational Day of Forest to recognise the vital role of forests in sustaining life on earth’, it added.

It said 21st March each year, the United Nations allow member countries to celebrate the Day as their peculiar circumstances allow them.

The Day allows stakeholders worldwide celebrate the achievements in forest innovation and advocate for greater investment in research, technology and sustainable practices.

Source: Ghana News Agency

By Charity Nginyu

Mazebouag Public School in the East Region of Cameroon has been rocked by tragedy and violence following the death of a child and a vicious attack on the school director.

The incident unfolded when a parent, identified as Yekini, son of the village chief, allegedly assaulted Mr. Bruce Mengom, the school’s director, with a machete, before setting fire to the school buildings and fleeing the scene.

The parent’s actions were reportedly fueled by a desire for revenge following the drowning of his child, a student at the school.

However, sources have revealed that the tragic drowning occurred when the child ventured alone into a nearby marsh, unbeknown to the school director.

Mr. Mengom, who sustained head injuries in the assault, is currently receiving medical treatment.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

By Charity Nginyu

Mazebouag Public School in the East Region of Cameroon has been rocked by tragedy and violence following the death of a child and a vicious attack on the school director.

The incident unfolded when a parent, identified as Yekini, son of the village chief, allegedly assaulted Mr. Bruce Mengom, the school’s director, with a machete, before setting fire to the school buildings and fleeing the scene.

The parent’s actions were reportedly fueled by a desire for revenge following the drowning of his child, a student at the school.

However, sources have revealed that the tragic drowning occurred when the child ventured alone into a nearby marsh, unbeknown to the school director.

Mr. Mengom, who sustained head injuries in the assault, is currently receiving medical treatment.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has summoned the three striking teacher unions, as well as the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, to appear before it and address their disputes.

This follows a petition by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

The two parties will meet with the Labour Commission on Tuesday, March 26, to discuss the issues at stake.

The Unions are concerned about the delay in addressing their conditions of service, the government’s lag in distributing laptop computers, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s freeze on the pay for some of its members.

The Unions are the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers-Ghana (CCT-Ghana).

The Labour Commission has since ordered GNAT, NAGRAT, and CCT-Ghana to halt their industrial action, which began on March 20, 2024, saying that it violated Section 159 of Act 651 of the Labour Act.

‘The Unions are hereby advised to stay any and/or all ongoin
g and any further intended action (s) and appear as scheduled,’ the summon, signed by Dr Bernice Welbeck, the Director of Administration/Human Resource, NLC stated.

Prior to the summons, the Fair Wages Commission offered an invitation to the Teacher Unions to return to the negotiating table on Thursday, March 21, to work out the matter.

‘We’re committed, willing and open to engage, and we’ve demonstrated that by inviting them,’ Mr Benjamin Arthur, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Fair Wages Commission said at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Service (GES) had instructed heads of Kindergartens, Primary, Junior, and Secondary schools not to close their institutions on Wednesday.

It asked parties to remain calm and informed them that the GES’s management was constantly watching the situation and would provide guidance on the matter.

Meanwhile, most schools visited by the Ghana News Agency on Thursday, within Teshie, Osu, and Accra Central, showed that the strike
was in force, as many schoolchildren were seen playing during class hours.

According to the three Teacher Unions, the negotiation of the Collective Agreement following its expiration in 2023 was supposed to be concluded on or by February 29, 2024, but it remains to be done.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the third phase of repatriation of 70 thousand Ethiopians who are in a difficult situation in Saudi Arabia will begin in two weeks.

State Minister, Ambassador Birtukan stated this whilst the National Committee chaired by herself advised on the plan to return citizens in difficult situations in Saudi Arabia, today.

She also said that the work of repatriating citizens to their country requires the joint coordination of federal institutions and regional states included in the national committee.

Ambassador Birtukan reminded the stakeholders that the necessary budget, logistics and shelters should be prepared for the returnees when they arrive in Addis Ababa for the repatriation of citizens to be successful.

The Director General of Refugees and Returnees, Tayba Hassan, on her part, stated that the relevant institutions and regional states should pay special attention to the work of returning our citizens who are in difficult situations.

The members
of the National Committee confirmed that they will make the necessary arrangements to complete the plan on time, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the third phase of repatriation of 70 thousand Ethiopians who are in a difficult situation in Saudi Arabia will begin in two weeks.

State Minister, Ambassador Birtukan stated this whilst the National Committee chaired by herself advised on the plan to return citizens in difficult situations in Saudi Arabia, today.

She also said that the work of repatriating citizens to their country requires the joint coordination of federal institutions and regional states included in the national committee.

Ambassador Birtukan reminded the stakeholders that the necessary budget, logistics and shelters should be prepared for the returnees when they arrive in Addis Ababa for the repatriation of citizens to be successful.

The Director General of Refugees and Returnees, Tayba Hassan, on her part, stated that the relevant institutions and regional states should pay special attention to the work of returning our citizens who are in difficult situations.

The members
of the National Committee confirmed that they will make the necessary arrangements to complete the plan on time, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

An Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday granted GHC500,000.00 bail to a businessman accused of defrauding a man of USD35,000 under the pretext of leasing a piece of land in Santeo to him.

The Court presided over by Mrs Sussana Eduful, ruled that two people serve as sureties for David Abu Kantong and be justified.

The sureties are to earn not less than GHC5,000.00 every month.

Kantong has denied the offence, and he will return to the Court on April 3, 2024.

Meanwhile, a bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of Alfred Nee Quartey Papafio, Ernestina Kwakor Quartey Papafio, and Joseph Kwate Quartey-Papafio for failure to appear in court.

Except for Alfred, who faces an abetment charge, they have all been charged with defrauding under false pretenses.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Lawrence Kofi Anane stated that the complainant in the case, Mr Samuel Kojo Andrews, is a lawyer who lives in Tantra Hill.

He stated that Kantong is the Managing Director of M.O.S Property Consultancy Limited, Alfred
is a businessman, and Ernestina is a fashion designer, adding that Ernestina and Joseph Kwate Quartey-Papafio are the Heads and Lawful Representatives of the Papafio family of Santeo.

ASP Anane said between 2015 and 2016, Kantong engaged the complainant as counsel for his company, M.O.S. Property Consultancy Limited.

During their working relationship, Kantong offered to sell two plots of fenced land situated at Santeo to the complainant, who expressed interest in it and was taken to the site for inspection.

He stated that after being satisfied with the location of the land, it was sold to him for 35,000 US dollars, and full payment was made to Kantong, who provided a receipt of payment to the complaint as an acknowledgement of payment.

The prosecution said a few weeks later, Kantong gave the complainant an indenture covering the land dated January 9, 2016, endorsed by Alfred, Ernestina, and Joseph, the accused as Heads and Lawful Representatives of the Papafio family.

The Court heard that when the compla
inant later went to the land to start his project, one Musah Shaibu who claimed ownership of the lot, prevented him from developing it.

ASP Anane said the complainant immediately notified Kantong of his challenges on the land and requested his assistance in resolving the issue, but Kantong insisted that the land belonged to his company and thus had no record of Mush Shaibu as the company’s lessee in respect of the land.

Whilst making attempts to settle the dispute on the land, the complainant also applied to the Lands Commission in Accra to register the land in his name, but his application was also rejected, according to the Police.

According to ASP Anane, the complainant brought this development to Kantong’s attention again and requested his assistance, but to no avail.

In 2020, the complainant visited the land and realised that Shaibu had begun erecting structures on the land, and all efforts to stop him were unsuccessful.

The prosecution told the Court that the complainant asked Kantong, his grantor,
to intervene again, and he (Kantong) merely endorsed a new indenture covering the same piece of land for the complainant and left him to his fate.

According to ASP Anane, the complainant petitioned the CID on August 20, 2022, which resulted in the arrest of the accused. During the investigation, Kantong claimed ownership of the disputed land through M.O.S Property Consultancy Limited and acknowledged granting it to the complainant.

The grantors of the transaction were Alfred, Ernestina, and Josehp. An investigation revealed that the disputed land was part of a larger tract handed to Kantong’s brother, Salifu Johnson, by the Papafio family in Santeo.

Investigations also established that the late Salifu Johnson had sub-leased portions of his land, including the disputed portion, to individual developers prior to his death.

ASP Anane said a visit to the disputed land revealed that Musah Shaibu had built houses on it, and an official search at the Lands Commission in Accra showed that the land was affected by
land certificate No. GA. 23478 issued to Shaibu.

The accused persons were accordingly charged with the relevant offences and put before court.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Addis Ababa: A baby with two heads was born at Wachamo University Queen Eleni Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Southern Ethiopia yesterday.

Pediatrics department head Dr. Basazen Tasew said that the mother delivered the baby at midnight.

The woman, a mother of five, gave birth to the baby with two heads attached below his neck, he added.

She gave birth through minor surgery.

The two-headed baby had normal regular gestation period and weighed 4.2 kilograms, it was learned.

Even though the baby is now healthy, there are indications that his development might be impaired in the future, Dr. Basazen stated.

A team of doctors in the hospital are closely monitoring the baby.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: A baby with two heads was born at Wachamo University Queen Eleni Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Southern Ethiopia yesterday.

Pediatrics department head Dr. Basazen Tasew said that the mother delivered the baby at midnight.

The woman, a mother of five, gave birth to the baby with two heads attached below his neck, he added.

She gave birth through minor surgery.

The two-headed baby had normal regular gestation period and weighed 4.2 kilograms, it was learned.

Even though the baby is now healthy, there are indications that his development might be impaired in the future, Dr. Basazen stated.

A team of doctors in the hospital are closely monitoring the baby.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency