GYEEDA Contracts Scrapped, As Firms Agree To Refund Cash

By Edmund Mingle
Service providers under the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Agency (GYEEDA) programme have agreed to refund all monies advanced to them, as the government has abrogated all, contracts under GYEEDA.

President Mahama (right) receiving the GYEEDA
Report from Youth and Sports Minister,
Elvis Afriyie Ankrah

The terminated contracts under the GYEEDA modules included those with Rlg Communication's training module, Asongtaba Cottage Industry & Exchange Programme (ACI&EP), and the Better Ghana Management Services Limited, a subsidiary of Jospong Group of Companies and Craftpro Limited.

Following the termination of the contracts which was communicated to the parties in letters dated January 9, 2014, and demand notices by the Attorney-General, the Rlg Communications, Asongtaba Cottage Industry & Exchange Programme and Craftpro Limited indicated their preparedness to refund all monies advanced to them by the government under the respective GYEEDA projects.

The termination of the contracts, which formed part of the government fight against corruption, followed the submission of a committee’s investigative report on the operations of GYEEDA, by the Youth and Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, to President John Mahama on January 7 this year.

The report recommended the abrogation of some contracts, which it found to have been inappropriately awarded, and of the monies refunded.

Mr. Afriyie Ankrah who confirmed the contracts termination to the Ghanaian Times yesterday, said the Attorney-General was dealing with the affected firms on the timelines for the refund of the monies.

Asked about the possibility of prosecution of people and groups found culpable, he noted that such decision was for the Attorney-General to take, indicating that the Attorney-General Department had been collaborating with the Economic and Organised Crimes Office on the GYEEDA investigations.

According to the minister, the cancellation of the contracts, which was communicated in letters signed by Alhaji Abdulai Yakubu, Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, was done after a series of meetings between the government and the companies.

The letter said "I am directed to convey to you, Government's decision to discontinue or terminate the contract with immediate effect.

"You are hereby requested to continue to have engagements with the Attorney General's Department and Ministry of Justice on your liabilities to GYEEDA and ensure the refund of same to Government," it added.
Following notices of demand for the refund of the monies which the Attorney-General indicated in the demand notices that those monies were paid without Parliament’s approval, Rlg Communications Limited, agreed to refund over GH¢7. 2million while Asontagba Cottage Industries and Exchange Programme, agreed to refund over Gh¢ 41.3million. Caftpro Limited is also refunding about GH¢7.5million to the State.

In their separate letters responding to the demand notices by the Attorney-General, the three companies, prayed a little more time beyond the five days timeline given to them in the demand letters.

Craftpro Limited and Asontgtaba Cottage Industries are refunding the interest-free set up portion of the contract sum, while Rlg Communications is refunding monies “wrongly termed a loan” under the contract.

Rlg Communications’ letter dated December 12, 2013, signed by the company’s lawyer, Prosper Harrison Addo, and addressed to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, prayed for more time to refund the money.
“While we agree to refund the interest free refundable portion of the contract sum, which we have started per the contract terms, it is impossible to refund the amount due and owing as at today in five days, unless we are being set up to default payment and/or jeopardize the operation and the very existence of the company.

“We are by this letter praying your good self for a meeting at your earliest convenience to discuss the issues raised in your letter and our reply to come out with a workable plan,” the letter said.
END

ADB Outdoors New Corporate Identity

By Edmund Mingle

The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) yesterday outdoored its new corporate identity in line with its restructured operations to offer enhanced services to the agricultural and various sectors of the economy.

Stephen Kpordzih, Managing Director of ADB

The new logo, which the bank said demonstrates its renewed commitment to national developmental ideals, is a major part of the implementation of a rebranding and expansion strategy to make the bank more competitive.

In addition, the expansion plan is to enable the bank to be abreast of modern trends in banking and financial services industry, while keeping to its mission of being a leader in agriculture financing.

“We are through the launching of a new logo and identity, embarking on a new era of banking excellence and a renewed support for the nation’s development agenda,” said Stephen Kpordzih, Managing Director of ADB at the launch in Accra.

He explained that the new logo reflects a deep will within ADB to keep up with modernity and evolution.

Touching on the need for a new corporate image, he noted that on account of significant national and international recognition received by the bank, “ADB has evidently outgrown its old identity, hence the need to refresh its identity, improve its look and feel, and present its modern face to the country and the world at large.”

“Our name, values, mission and purpose remain unchanged,” he said, explaining that the “new logo is part of a broader initiative to clearly define ADB as a modern institution and set out a new ambition for the future.”

According to Mr. Kpordzih, ADB from 2010 embarked on a change agenda which had transformed the bank in the areas of infrastructure, internal processes, business model, products and channels, human resource skills, branch outreach and external looks, among others.

“On the strength of this remarkable transformation, ADB continues to receive recognition and commendation through local and international awards from reputable organizations and bodies,” he said.

In 2013 alone, he said the bank won 15 awards locally and internationally, and pledged the bank’s commitment to continue to live up to expectation.

Nana Soglo Alloh IV, Chairman of ADB’s Board noted that execution of the bank’s 2010-2012 strategy allowed ADB to stay true to its core business mission and also repositioned ADB as a competitive and highly efficient policy-led agricultural-financing institution of choice, and a modern universal bank with a sustainable development outlook.

Currently, the bank is in the initial stage of its follow-up strategic plan for the 2014-2016 period, designed to ensure sustainable growth and profitability and build on the key successes achieved in the previous strategic plan.

He announced that a key driver in the new plan “is the injection of additional capital into the business of the bank through floatation of part of the publicly held shares of the bank and the aggressive recovery of debts owed by defaulting customers.”

“Into the future, we recognize our responsibility as a bank to our customers, shareholders, government and country, employees, and our service providers and so pledge our commitment to keep to our mission,” he said.

“To our government and country, we are committed to leveraging our skills, resources and risk expertise to build an efficient policy-led agricultural-financing institution of choice and contribute to the building of a strong national economy,” the Chairman added.

Unveiling the new logo, on behalf of Seth Terkper, Minister of Finance, George Kweku Rickett-Hagan, a Deputy Ministry of Finance, commended the management of the bank for the initiative, saying that the rebranding would enable ADB to attract new customers and widen their foot print in the banking industry.

The banking sector, he noted, has become increasingly competitive with new banks getting licensed, while others continue to develop new and superior products and services to meet customer expectations.

The minister lauded the contribution of ADB to national development, and assured it of government’s continuous support and cooperation.

END

Vice President Makes Case For GREDA To Take Part In Affordable Housing Project

From Edmund Mingle, Kpone.

The Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur on Tuesday made a case for the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) as he directed the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to actively involve the association in the execution of government’s ongoing affordable housing projects.

Vice President Amissah-Arhur( second right, front roll) with
Alhaji Collins Dauda( in smock) and Joe Abbey (third right)
during the tour of the affordable housing sites

He believed that the participation of the GREDA would help to effectively complete the affordable housing projects across the country.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur, who gave the directive during an inspection tour of the affordable housing project site at Kpone near Tema on Tuesday, said it was important that the required resources were mobilized to complete the project for the benefit of Ghanaians.

When the modalities for the association’s participation are finalized, GREDA, which has continuously questioned its non-involvement in the project as a group, would join institutions such as the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) and the State Housing Company (SHC) to complete the hundreds of blocks of housing unit at Kpone and Borteyman.

Construction works at the Kpone, Borteyman, Wa, Tamale, Asokori Mampong and Koforidua sites have stalled for a number of years due to financial and logistical problems.

But the Vice President indicated that resources need to be found to complete the projects, which are more than 60 per cent completed, since such huge investment could not be left to go waste.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur in a chat with IGP, Mohammed
Alhassan and National Security Coordinator, Lt. Col. Gbevlo Lartey

“We are determined to have these blocks completed,” he said.

The Vice President, who also toured the Borteyman project site, urged the sector Ministry to develop innovative means to get resources for the completion works.

In that regard, he lauded the Ministry for involving the TDC and the SHC for complete some of the blocks.

 The TDC has been allocated 24 blocks consisting of 314 units out of the total of 1,546 units at Kpone to complete.

According to the Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, more blocks would be allocated to the TDC depending on its performance on the 24 blocks.

He said five blocks made up of 72 units, which were allocated to the Military have been completed, adding that arrangements were underway to allocate some to the Police and other security agencies who have the resources to complete the allocated blocks.

 He explained that the Ministry was making arrangements with the banks for a mortgage facility to help public sector workers who would be allocated the houses to repay.

This will ensure that those who finance the project recoup their funds,” he said.

He assured GREDA of the Ministry’s cooperation, and indication that the Ministry was prepared to involve investors who have the funds to support the completion of the projects.

Kwakye Dopoah Dei, President of GREDA, who was part of the tour, thanked the Vice President for the intervention, and promised that its members would do their best to deliver.

Joe Abbey, Managing Director of TDC, thanked the Housing Ministry for the cooperation, and gave the assurance that their 24 blocks would be fully completed within six months.

Those who joined the Vice President for the tour included the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Alhassan and Greater Accra Regional Minister, Julius Debrah.

END

STX Faces Contempt Charge Over Debt Owed Sky Resources Travel & Tours

By Edmund Mingle

A motion for contempt has been filed against Bernard Asamoah, Chief Executive Officer of STX Engineering and Construction Limited by Sky Resources Travel and Tours Limited over the former’s failure to pay 90,000 dollars as part payment defray a debt owed the travel and tours company.

Counsel for Sky Resources filed the motion for contempt last Friday at the Fast Track High Court which gave the order for Mr. Asamoah to pay the amount.

The debt accrued from the purchase of airline tickets at the cost of 163,161 dollars by Mr. Asamoah in 2010 for a government delegation to travel to USA and Mexico as part of the botched STX Housing project.

However, the Mr. Asamoah paid 19,354 dollars, and has since failed to pay the remaining 143, 807 dollars.

The passengers on the trip who have also being sued severally by the Plaintiff, are Alban Sumana Bagbin, the then Minister of Works & Housing, Alice Adjoa Yornas, David Asuming, Member of Parliament for Shai Osudoku, Sampson Nortey of the Ministry of Finance, Harry Yamson, STX Board Member, Joseph Sika Nartey from the Police Service, Peter Ghansah, from the Ghana Armed forces, William George Instiful, from KNUST, Sachimo Atongo,Yvonne Opoku, STX staff, Anaman Kofi, STX staff, Gabriel Ayomi Akakpo, George Padi, John Ahene Tetteh and James Akomea Frimpong

The Fast Track High Court, presided over by Justice L.L. Mensah, on October 28, 2013 ordered Mr Asamoah to pay 90,000 dollars to defray part of the debt by November 26, 2013, but the defendant failed to do so.

According to the statement of claim, the Plaintiff, Seth Osafo Danquah, Chief Executive of Sky Resources Travel and Tours Limited, between January 10 and May 16, 2011, acting on the strength of Mr. Asamoah’s representations and personnal assurance of repayment, issued airline tickets to the Mr. Asamoah and other passengers nominated by the Defendant to travel to Korea and other destinations at the total cost of 163,161 dollars.

“The defendants have repaid the sum of 19,354 dollars leaving unpaid the total sum of 143,807 dollars, and have refused to pay to date in spite of the Plaintiff’s entreaties.

“By reason of the Defendants’ default, the Plaintiff was compelled to take an overdraft facility from its bankers to meet its repayment obligations to the airlines from whom the tickets were purchased on credit, and which overdraft facility Plaintiff continues to service and has accrued a total liability of 450,000 dollars at present, and continues to run,” it said.

According to counsel for the Plaintiff, Sky Resources has virtually collapsed due to the high debt, as it has laid off 26 workers, and is currently being pursued by SSNIT for the company’s inability to pay workers’ contribution due to the poor financial standing as a result of the non -payment of the debt by STX Engineering.

The Plaintiff’s house, used as collateral for the loan facility to pay for the airline ticket, is also set to be auctioned by his bankers for non-payment of the loan

Currently, Mr. Osafo Danquah, has been hospitalized after fainting last Thursday due to the mounting pressure from his bankers.

END

HUMAN SECURITY DEPT. INTERVENES IN ACCRA WATER CRISIS

By Edmund Mingle

The Human Security Department of National Security has intervened in the severe water crisis that has hit Osu and surrounding areas in Accra.

 

As part of the intervention, the Department has been supplying free water daily with its tankers to households and shops in the affected areas.

The move has provided relief for the residents who hitherto grappled with the severe water shortage, which the Ghana Water Company says it is working to rectify.

Major Ignatius Awuni, Officer in Charge of the Human Security Department told the Ghanaian Times yesterday that his outfit has been supplying the water for since last Wednesday.

According to him the intervention was to help provide relief for the residents until the normal water supply had been restored.

He said the water tankers from the Prisons and Fire Services would be released to join the relief operations from today.

He said as a long term measure, the Department would drill boreholes in the area to supplement the water supply.

“The borehole can provide support in times of such water shortages,” he said, adding that the department’s borehole drilling team has started preparatory works for the boreholes project.

Residents the Ghanaian Times spoke interacted with were very appreciative of the relief operation by the Human Security Department.

Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire Agree On Roadmap To Resolve Maritime Boundary Dispute

By Edmund Mingle

Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire yesterday agreed on an action plan to effectively resolve the maritime boundary dispute between the two countries.

After two days of meeting in Accra, the members of the Boundary Commission of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire adopted actions and timelines that would culminate in the resolution of the matter by June 2014.

As part of the actions, a joint technical committee of the Commissions would re-survey the common land boundary, Boundary Pillar 55 (BP 55) to confirm the geographical co-ordinates.

The two sides also agreed to exchange data on the base points from the breadth of the territorial waters in measured.

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, which is the sixth bilateral maritime negotiation between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, said the two countries “undertake to respect the schedule of activities that will lead to the delimitation of the maritime boundary between the two countries.”

The Ivorian team was led by the Benard Ehui Koutuoa, Ivorian Ambassador to Ghana, while the Ghana side was led by Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, who is also the chairman of the Ghana Boundary Commission.

Cote d’Ivoire’s claim to portions of the oil jubilee oil fields along the maritime boundary was intensified with a recent announcement by Cote d’Ivoire that it has discovered oil in the same area where Ghana also prospecting for oil.

In spite of fears that it could create some form of conflict between the two West African neighbours, the meeting was optimistic that the challenges would be resettled amicably.

Alhaji Fuseini, answering questions after the meeting issued the communiqué, explained that the joint commission was conducting a general boundary demarcation exercise and not focusing on the oil prospecting site which has generated the problem.

He said the technical committee would visit the BP 55 from November 26 to 28, after which the next two meetings of the joint commission would be held in Abidjan.

According to him, the joint commission was applying international legal procedures and United Nations conventions on maritime boundaries to resolve the matter.

Asked whether the prospecting of oil in the disputed zone would cease until the determination of the matter, the Minister said “the two countries have agreed to engage in a way that will not exacerbate the challenge that is confronting us.”

For his part, Ambassador Koutuoa, expressed appreciation to the government of Ghana for the committed it has exhibited towards settling the matter.

He said the government of Cote d’Ivoire shared the view of the government of Ghana that the resources should not create division but should be managed in a way that would promote regional integration.

“We are also fully committed to the peaceful resolution of the matter and we appreciate the atmosphere of friendliness in which we have held the discussions,” he said.

 END

Obeng Kyereh Adjudged Journalist Of The Year

By Edmund Mingle

Kingsley Obeng Kyereh has every reason to smile

Mr.  Kingsley Obeng Kyereh of (GBC) Radio, was at the weekend adjudged the Journalist of the Year at the18^th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) 2013 Awards at the Banquet Hall in Accra.

His award was for an expose on the dangers of lead poisoning of foods through the use of metallic cooking utensils.

Mr. Kyereh, who also won the Best Science Report award, captivated the awards committee with his piece titled, “Where did half the ladle go?”.

The Banquet Hall went agog with the announcement of the ultimate winner, as his family members, staff of GBC and friends jubilated, while others in the Hall accorded him a standing ovation.

For his prize, which was sponsored by Unilever Ghana, Mr. Kyereh would embark on a fully sponsored training programme abroad, a holiday in the United Kingdom, as well as receive a laptop computer and an LED television.

It was a night of recognition for professionalism and development of journalism as journalists from the Graphic Communications Group Limited and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation topped the awards chart.

The other winners, all of whom will have a LED television, were Charles Benoni Okine of Graphic Business, (Best in News Reporting-Print); Kwaku Owusu Peprah of  Joy FM, (Best in News Reporting-Radio); Manasseh Azure Awini of Joy FM, (Best in News Reporting-TV); Edmund Kofi Yeboah of Daily Graphic, (Best in Feature-Print); Odelia Ofori of TV3, (Best in News Reporting-TV); Kwetey Nartey of TV Africa, (Best in Investigative Reporting);

Emmanuel Quaye of Daily Graphic (Best in Photojournalism); Dzifah Tetteh of The Ghanaian Times (Best in Sports Reporting) and Rebecca Awuah of GTV24, (Best in Arts/Entertainment & Domestic Tourism).

The rest are Maxwell Akalaare of Graphic Business, (Best Entry in Small and Micro Scale Enterprises); William Asiedu of The Mirror (Best in Environmental Report); Rebecca Quaye of The Mirror (Best Report in Health Reporting); Jamila Akweley Okerchire of Daily Guide (Best Report in HIV and AIDS Reporting); Efua Acquaah-Harrison  of TV3 (Best in Development Journalism for furthering MDGs); Gifty Andoh Appiah  of Joy FM (Best in Rural Reporting); Konrad Kakraba of GTV (Best in political Reporting); Fanny Nana Ampong of GTV (Best Human Rights Report on Child Rights); Rosemary Gaisie  of GBC Radio (Best Report on Disability); Seth Bokpe  of Daily Graphic (Best Report on Education) and Isabella Owusu Oppong of GTV (Best Report in Agriculture)

The Young Promising Journalist of the Year award went to Hannah Acheampong Amoah of Junior Graphic while David Adadevoh of The Ghanaian Times was adjudged the Young Promising Journalist of the Year (Runner-up).

Radio XYZ, won the Best Report on Peace, Democracy and Peace Building while the

Best radio programme in Akan went to Radio Peace (Winneba), with Best radio programme Ga going to Obonu FM

Honorary awards were presented to Mr. Cyril Acorlatse, Ms Wendy Asiamah, Mr. Tom Dorkenoo,

Mrs Margaret Sarfo and Mr Theophilus Mawusi Afele, all senior journalists for their contribution to the progress of the GJA and the media in Ghana.