Posted: The Chronicle | Thursday, October 8, 2009
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
The decision to either recall or sack the former Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service (GPS), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kofi Boakye, became a subject of heated debate when the Police Council met at the police headquarters in Accra, yesterday.
Several hours after the meeting, which was chaired by the Vice President John Dramani Mahama, government officials including Interior Minister, Cletus Avoka, Information Minister, Zita Okaikoi, who were locked-up in a marathon meeting, and would not speak to the press.
Spokesperson for the Vice President, John Abdulai Jinapor would also not tell what had become of Kofi Boakye's fate, long after his boss returned from the Police Council meeting, since according to him, he was waiting to be called and briefed by the Veep.
At the time of going to press around 9:00 pm yesterday, the Interior Minister, Hon. Cletus Avoka was expected to issue an official statement on the issue, which would announce the re-instatement of the former police boss.
ACP Kofi Boakye was interdicted in 2007, following the recommendations of a committee chaired by the current chief Justice, Georgina Wood, which investigated the much-publicized MV Benjamin cocaine case.
The recommendations of the same committee led to the prosecution and subsequent conviction of Kwabena Amaning, alias Tagor, and Issa Abass for their involvement in the case, but were later freed after an Appeals Court heard their case. Though the Georgina Wood committee made recommendations for Mr. Boakye to be prosecuted, the police administration, which was then led by Inspector General of Police (IGP), Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, decided to interdict him in order to conduct further investigations.
A day before leaving office, former President Kufuor ordered the reinstatement of Kofi Boakye and ordered the police administration to pay him all his entitlements.
However, on assumption of office, the Mills administration asked the Police Chief to remain on leave, until a final determination by the Police Council.
Meanwhile, the former Deputy Director and Head of Operations at the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB), Mr. Ben Ndego, who was asked to proceed on indefinite leave after the disappearance of the MV Benjamin cocaine, has been re-instated by the government with full salary and benefits.
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Saturday, October 10, 2009
NDC MEETS SPIO, AHWOI IN CAMERA
...but leading member not happy with Anyidoho`s outbust
Posted: Thursday, October 08, 2009
By Charles Takyi - Boadu |
The acting Communication Director of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Seth Ofori has told The Chronicle that the leadership of the party has started holding closed door meetings with Dr. Ekow Spio Garbrah and Mr. Ato Ahwoi, both leading members of the party.
The two party stalwarts were recently engaged in a media war, which was ignited by the publication of an article in the Daily Graphic, written by Dr. Spio Garbrah, the CEO of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO). According to Mr. Ofori, the party was not happy with the media war, hence its decision to intervene and ensure that there is total peace in the ruling party.
According to him, the decision to call a truce and prevent the two from making further public comments should not be misinterpreted to mean that they have been gagged by the party.
Mr. Seth Ofori further told The Chronicle that details of the closed door meeting would be made public at the appropriate time, and that supporters of the party would not be kept in the dark over the issue.
He urged all party members to refrain from making comments which have the tendency of bringing division into the party. Meanwhile, the party’s Executive Committee has expressed disgust at the twist and turns of the ensuing heated exchanges between Dr. Spio-Garbrah and Mr. Ato Ahwoi, and called for a cease fire.
In the statement signed by party Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Agyei, the Committee noted - "While the party tolerates and encourages progressive debate and expression of divergent views on matters relating to the performance of the government and party in general, it nevertheless disapproves of criticisms and utterances that tend to bring the government and the party into disrepute and ridicule.
Equally so, we eschew political debates that degenerate into personal attacks."
For this reason, the NDC as a party has advised the two leading members to "desist from any further utterances that could inflame passions and undermine the unity of the party." The leadership further appealed to the rank and file to remain calm and steadfast in their resolve to build a strong and united NDC.
Meanwhile, Issah Alhassan reports from Kumasi that a leading member of the party, Nana Ishmael Butler has described as shameful and trivial, a recent outburst by the Director of Communication at the Castle, Mr. Koku Anyidohu, on a Ghanaian radio station in London, over the rift between Dr. Spio Garbrah and a leading party member, Mr. Ato Ahwoi. In the infamous interview granted to FOCUS RADIO, a community based radio station in London and re-played on Angel FM in Kumasi , Mr. Anyidohu was reported to have launched vituperative verbal attacks on the personality of the former NDC Presidential hopeful, and went to the extent of questioning his academic credentials, by describing his doctorate degree as a cheap one.
The Director of Communications at the Presidency, who was obviously livid about recent comments made by Dr. Spio Garbrah concerning the efficacy of the Ministers under the current administration and the people around the President, was at his lashing best when he poured verbal venom on the former Ambassador to the United States and CEO of Commonwealth Telecommunication (CTO), accusing him of contributing little to the electoral success of the NDC.
Mr. Anyidohu, contended in the said interview that Dr. Spio Garbrah cannot compare himself to people like him who deserted their jobs and dedicated their whole life to ensure the success of the NDC party during the 2008 elections, because he (Spio) was busy concentrating on his job as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organization at a time the party needed his services.
But Mr. Anyidohu’s outburst appears not to have gone down well with the leading NDC member based in Kumasi, who has challenged the basis of Mr. Anyodohu’s assertion that Dr. Spio contributed little to the achievement of the party.
Nana Butler stated that the Communication Director’s claim was wrong, contending that the little contribution made by every member of the party culminated in its victory.
He asserted that no single individual could attribute the success of the party to him or herself and urged Mr. Anyidohu to bow his head in shame for his unwarranted comments against no mean a personality than Dr. Spio Garbrah, whom he described as one of the pioneer contributors to the NDC.
According to him, the behaviour of people like Mr. Anyidohu would only contribute to the demise of the ruling party if it is not nipped in the bud.
If Anyidohu thinks he abandoned his job to serve the party, what about some of us who endured the pain and humiliation from NPP supporters in the Ashanti Region, what about those who toiled day and night in the villages garnering support for the party, Koku Anyidohu should give us a break, Nana Butler ranted.
Posted: Thursday, October 08, 2009
By Charles Takyi - Boadu |
The acting Communication Director of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Seth Ofori has told The Chronicle that the leadership of the party has started holding closed door meetings with Dr. Ekow Spio Garbrah and Mr. Ato Ahwoi, both leading members of the party.
The two party stalwarts were recently engaged in a media war, which was ignited by the publication of an article in the Daily Graphic, written by Dr. Spio Garbrah, the CEO of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO). According to Mr. Ofori, the party was not happy with the media war, hence its decision to intervene and ensure that there is total peace in the ruling party.
According to him, the decision to call a truce and prevent the two from making further public comments should not be misinterpreted to mean that they have been gagged by the party.
Mr. Seth Ofori further told The Chronicle that details of the closed door meeting would be made public at the appropriate time, and that supporters of the party would not be kept in the dark over the issue.
He urged all party members to refrain from making comments which have the tendency of bringing division into the party. Meanwhile, the party’s Executive Committee has expressed disgust at the twist and turns of the ensuing heated exchanges between Dr. Spio-Garbrah and Mr. Ato Ahwoi, and called for a cease fire.
In the statement signed by party Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Agyei, the Committee noted - "While the party tolerates and encourages progressive debate and expression of divergent views on matters relating to the performance of the government and party in general, it nevertheless disapproves of criticisms and utterances that tend to bring the government and the party into disrepute and ridicule.
Equally so, we eschew political debates that degenerate into personal attacks."
For this reason, the NDC as a party has advised the two leading members to "desist from any further utterances that could inflame passions and undermine the unity of the party." The leadership further appealed to the rank and file to remain calm and steadfast in their resolve to build a strong and united NDC.
Meanwhile, Issah Alhassan reports from Kumasi that a leading member of the party, Nana Ishmael Butler has described as shameful and trivial, a recent outburst by the Director of Communication at the Castle, Mr. Koku Anyidohu, on a Ghanaian radio station in London, over the rift between Dr. Spio Garbrah and a leading party member, Mr. Ato Ahwoi. In the infamous interview granted to FOCUS RADIO, a community based radio station in London and re-played on Angel FM in Kumasi , Mr. Anyidohu was reported to have launched vituperative verbal attacks on the personality of the former NDC Presidential hopeful, and went to the extent of questioning his academic credentials, by describing his doctorate degree as a cheap one.
The Director of Communications at the Presidency, who was obviously livid about recent comments made by Dr. Spio Garbrah concerning the efficacy of the Ministers under the current administration and the people around the President, was at his lashing best when he poured verbal venom on the former Ambassador to the United States and CEO of Commonwealth Telecommunication (CTO), accusing him of contributing little to the electoral success of the NDC.
Mr. Anyidohu, contended in the said interview that Dr. Spio Garbrah cannot compare himself to people like him who deserted their jobs and dedicated their whole life to ensure the success of the NDC party during the 2008 elections, because he (Spio) was busy concentrating on his job as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organization at a time the party needed his services.
But Mr. Anyidohu’s outburst appears not to have gone down well with the leading NDC member based in Kumasi, who has challenged the basis of Mr. Anyodohu’s assertion that Dr. Spio contributed little to the achievement of the party.
Nana Butler stated that the Communication Director’s claim was wrong, contending that the little contribution made by every member of the party culminated in its victory.
He asserted that no single individual could attribute the success of the party to him or herself and urged Mr. Anyidohu to bow his head in shame for his unwarranted comments against no mean a personality than Dr. Spio Garbrah, whom he described as one of the pioneer contributors to the NDC.
According to him, the behaviour of people like Mr. Anyidohu would only contribute to the demise of the ruling party if it is not nipped in the bud.
If Anyidohu thinks he abandoned his job to serve the party, what about some of us who endured the pain and humiliation from NPP supporters in the Ashanti Region, what about those who toiled day and night in the villages garnering support for the party, Koku Anyidohu should give us a break, Nana Butler ranted.
Fallout from the MV Benjamin cocaine saga
NDC BRINGS BACK NDEGO
…Police Council determines Kofi Boakye`s fate today
Posted: Wednesday, October 07, 2009
By Charles Takyi - Boadu |
The Deputy Director and Head of Operations at the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB), Ben Ndego, who was asked to proceed on indefinite leave after the disappearance of the MV Benjaimin cocaine, has been re-instated by the government with full salary and benefits.
The Interior Minister, Hon. Cletus Avoka, confirmed to The Chronicle yesterday that Ben Ndego has indeed been re-instated. This follows series of petitions he sent to the National Democratic Congress administration led by President Mills.
The Kufuor government interdicted Mr. Ben Ndego for compromising his position in the high profile cocaine case, but Mr. Avoka told The Chronicle that though the committee, which was tasked to investigate the issue, dully submitted its report, no action was taken against Mr. Ndego who was asked to proceed on leave with pay, pending the outcome of investigations into the strange circumstances under which 77 parcels of cocaine got missing from the notorious MV Benjamin vessel.
Hon. Avoka further told this reporter that Ndego kept petitioning the government as to why he was still on leave, when the committee had completed and submitted its report.
He also wanted to know whether the committee had made any adverse findings against him.
This persistent call, coupled with the fact that no adverse findings had been made against him, compelled the government to re-instate him. “In any case, we are saying that if the committee has submitted its report and somebody was implicated in one way or the other, take action against him.
If you don’t for 2-3years then it means that there is nothing against the man, and it is not fair to let somebody go on leave for 3years with pay, he emphasized, adding ìthere is no justification for that, so we have no option than to call him back from leave”.
Asked in what position Mr. Ndego is currently serving, the Interior Minister said “I don’t know, we are just responding to the letter asking him to go on leave.
He is supposed to go back and occupy his original position, not a new or higher position, because he didn’t attend an interview to get promotion.”
When this reporter asked him about the fate of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Nathan Kofi Boakye, who was recalled back into the police service by former President Kufuor, after being interdicted based on the same MV Benjamin cocaine case, Mr. Avoka said the Police Council would meet today (Wednesday) to discuss the issue and possibly take a decision on it.
…Police Council determines Kofi Boakye`s fate today
Posted: Wednesday, October 07, 2009
By Charles Takyi - Boadu |
The Deputy Director and Head of Operations at the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB), Ben Ndego, who was asked to proceed on indefinite leave after the disappearance of the MV Benjaimin cocaine, has been re-instated by the government with full salary and benefits.
The Interior Minister, Hon. Cletus Avoka, confirmed to The Chronicle yesterday that Ben Ndego has indeed been re-instated. This follows series of petitions he sent to the National Democratic Congress administration led by President Mills.
The Kufuor government interdicted Mr. Ben Ndego for compromising his position in the high profile cocaine case, but Mr. Avoka told The Chronicle that though the committee, which was tasked to investigate the issue, dully submitted its report, no action was taken against Mr. Ndego who was asked to proceed on leave with pay, pending the outcome of investigations into the strange circumstances under which 77 parcels of cocaine got missing from the notorious MV Benjamin vessel.
Hon. Avoka further told this reporter that Ndego kept petitioning the government as to why he was still on leave, when the committee had completed and submitted its report.
He also wanted to know whether the committee had made any adverse findings against him.
This persistent call, coupled with the fact that no adverse findings had been made against him, compelled the government to re-instate him. “In any case, we are saying that if the committee has submitted its report and somebody was implicated in one way or the other, take action against him.
If you don’t for 2-3years then it means that there is nothing against the man, and it is not fair to let somebody go on leave for 3years with pay, he emphasized, adding ìthere is no justification for that, so we have no option than to call him back from leave”.
Asked in what position Mr. Ndego is currently serving, the Interior Minister said “I don’t know, we are just responding to the letter asking him to go on leave.
He is supposed to go back and occupy his original position, not a new or higher position, because he didn’t attend an interview to get promotion.”
When this reporter asked him about the fate of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Nathan Kofi Boakye, who was recalled back into the police service by former President Kufuor, after being interdicted based on the same MV Benjamin cocaine case, Mr. Avoka said the Police Council would meet today (Wednesday) to discuss the issue and possibly take a decision on it.
Effah-Dartey Launches Bid to Become General Secretary of NPP
Posted:The Chronicle |Monday, 6 October 2009
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
Captain Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey (Rtd.), a former deputy Minister of Interior has advised the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to be cautious with the decision they take now, to avoid jeopardizing the chances of the party in winning the 2012 general elections.
"You do not need the brain of a Bishop to be able to predict that the NDC in power will do everything under the sun to ensure that they do not lose in 2012," he said.
The 56 year old retired Army officer and former Member of Parliament (MP) for Berekum Constituency in the Brong Ahafo region was speaking at a news conference in Accra, yesterday, to officially announce his intention to contest the NPP General Secretary position.
Effah-Dartey, who was flanked by his bodyguards, said "the most important exercise is to reorganize our party into a fighting machine, to repackage ourselves as an electioneering organization, refocus all our efforts into a vote-winning movement."
In order to do that, the enthusiastic former Army Officer stressed the urgent need for the NPP to take a second look at its leadership, right from the polling stations through to the constituency levels, and the regional structures to the highest echelons of national leadership.
For this reason, he has charged the rank and file of the party to pick men and women who would give total sacrifice of energy and time to work for the success of the party.
"Make no mistake; the party needs everybody; the serial callers, radio station hosts, the print media, foot soldiers in the wards, polling stations, areas and constituencies", he noted, adding "we need down to earth organizers and above all, we desperately need seasoned and thoroughly experienced elders who from the balconies of their residencies can give central direction and effective advice."
This, he said, was because the recent bye elections in Akwatia and Chereponi are clear signals of the state of the NPP today. Whilst admitting the existence of deep cracks in the party, Effah-Dartey indicated that the upcoming contest for national positions in the party is neither a battle nor a choice between individual personalities.
For this reason, he emphasized - "what we should concentrate on is to correctly profile the appropriate characteristics of the person we need to occupy the particular office, and then look for the person who fits that description."
For the NPP to win the 2012 general elections, he said the party needed individuals and group of persons who could run an effective operational national Secretariat, run the party nationally and be the face of the party.
As a former Captain of an infantry who commanded men under arms, besides establishing and running a national secretariat for the Petroleum Retailers Association from 1987, until the year 2001 when he entered Parliament, Effah-Dartey said "I can say without fear of contradiction that running a secretariat with staff and equipment under me should not be a mesmerizing one for me."
With the experience that he gained in Parliament for the past 8years, including his privileged position as a court-going Barrister at law, the retired Army officer noted - "by God's grace, I am in a position to discharge that responsibility effectively." "I do not think that I am wearing borrowed robes when I say that I have paid my dues as a member of the party", he noted.
Effah-Dartey did not fail to pay glowing tribute to the founding fathers of the Dankwa-Busia-Dombo tradition, which had metamorphosed into the NPP, including the likes of Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia, and commended people like B.J Da Rocha, Agyenim Boateng, Dan Botwe and Nana Ohene-Ntow, some of who have occupied, and continue to occupy key positions in the party.
He thus invited all former and current MPs to close their ranks and join him in rendering what he described as 'solid service' to the party for the next four years. Effah-Dartey could not end without treating his guest of journalists and good-old Chairman of the Nasara Club of the NPP, Alhaji Maiga, to an interesting rendition of his now famous 'matwen awurade enim' signature-tune.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
Captain Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey (Rtd.), a former deputy Minister of Interior has advised the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to be cautious with the decision they take now, to avoid jeopardizing the chances of the party in winning the 2012 general elections.
"You do not need the brain of a Bishop to be able to predict that the NDC in power will do everything under the sun to ensure that they do not lose in 2012," he said.
The 56 year old retired Army officer and former Member of Parliament (MP) for Berekum Constituency in the Brong Ahafo region was speaking at a news conference in Accra, yesterday, to officially announce his intention to contest the NPP General Secretary position.
Effah-Dartey, who was flanked by his bodyguards, said "the most important exercise is to reorganize our party into a fighting machine, to repackage ourselves as an electioneering organization, refocus all our efforts into a vote-winning movement."
In order to do that, the enthusiastic former Army Officer stressed the urgent need for the NPP to take a second look at its leadership, right from the polling stations through to the constituency levels, and the regional structures to the highest echelons of national leadership.
For this reason, he has charged the rank and file of the party to pick men and women who would give total sacrifice of energy and time to work for the success of the party.
"Make no mistake; the party needs everybody; the serial callers, radio station hosts, the print media, foot soldiers in the wards, polling stations, areas and constituencies", he noted, adding "we need down to earth organizers and above all, we desperately need seasoned and thoroughly experienced elders who from the balconies of their residencies can give central direction and effective advice."
This, he said, was because the recent bye elections in Akwatia and Chereponi are clear signals of the state of the NPP today. Whilst admitting the existence of deep cracks in the party, Effah-Dartey indicated that the upcoming contest for national positions in the party is neither a battle nor a choice between individual personalities.
For this reason, he emphasized - "what we should concentrate on is to correctly profile the appropriate characteristics of the person we need to occupy the particular office, and then look for the person who fits that description."
For the NPP to win the 2012 general elections, he said the party needed individuals and group of persons who could run an effective operational national Secretariat, run the party nationally and be the face of the party.
As a former Captain of an infantry who commanded men under arms, besides establishing and running a national secretariat for the Petroleum Retailers Association from 1987, until the year 2001 when he entered Parliament, Effah-Dartey said "I can say without fear of contradiction that running a secretariat with staff and equipment under me should not be a mesmerizing one for me."
With the experience that he gained in Parliament for the past 8years, including his privileged position as a court-going Barrister at law, the retired Army officer noted - "by God's grace, I am in a position to discharge that responsibility effectively." "I do not think that I am wearing borrowed robes when I say that I have paid my dues as a member of the party", he noted.
Effah-Dartey did not fail to pay glowing tribute to the founding fathers of the Dankwa-Busia-Dombo tradition, which had metamorphosed into the NPP, including the likes of Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia, and commended people like B.J Da Rocha, Agyenim Boateng, Dan Botwe and Nana Ohene-Ntow, some of who have occupied, and continue to occupy key positions in the party.
He thus invited all former and current MPs to close their ranks and join him in rendering what he described as 'solid service' to the party for the next four years. Effah-Dartey could not end without treating his guest of journalists and good-old Chairman of the Nasara Club of the NPP, Alhaji Maiga, to an interesting rendition of his now famous 'matwen awurade enim' signature-tune.
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