News
550 drivers fined GH¢182,640 for traffic offences

At least 550 drivers in the Greater Accra Region have been convicted to a total fine of GH¢182,640, for committing various traffic offences, during the first quarter of the year,
The convicts were arrested for excessive speeding, driving through red lights, and using expired documents among others.
The Commanding Officer of the Central Motor Traffic and Transporting Unit (MTTU), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Martin Ayiih, who disclosed these to the Ghanaian Times, in Accra, yesterday, said the convicts were involved in 1,038 road accidents.
He said 533 commercial, 1,226 private vehicles and 298 motorcycles were involved in the accidents.
ACP Ayiih said 58 people were killed and 525 were injured in the reported cases within the period.
He said the unit would collaborate with the Ministry of Transport, Municipal and District Assemblies, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority and the National Road Safety to ensure sanity on the road.
ACP Ayiih said more personnel would be deployed on the roads, to help in traffic management, stressing that there was the need to protect lives and properties to enhance the country’s socio-economic and human development.
He urged drivers to abide by road safety regulations to avoid accidents, saying that, “Most of the accidents recorded are as a result of human errors, such as excessive speeding, driving with gadgets such as mobile phones, and jay walking which need to be avoided.”
ACP Ayiih said, “Desist from excessive speeding, using of gadgets such as mobile phones when driving and avoid speeding and wrongful overtaking “.
He asked pedestrians to use zebra crossing and overhead bridges when crossing the roads, to prevent knockdowns.
ACP Ayiih appealed to vehicle owners to maintain their vehicles regularly, and journalists to support the Unit in its educational drive.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
News
High Court issues bench warrant for disputed Akwatia MP following contempt conviction

A Koforidua High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the presumed winner of the Akwatia parliamentary seat in the Eastern region, after convicting him of contempt of court.
The court issued the bench warrant for Kumi’s arrest after he failed to attend court.
The conviction comes after he disobeyed an interim injunction against him on January 7, prohibiting him from being sworn in and admitted as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Akwatia constituency due to an ongoing legal contest over his election.
Mr Kumi presented himself in Parliament to be sworn in on January 7, 2025.
The Judge, Justice Senyo Amedahe held that the convict, throughout the hearing of the contempt case, failed to appear in court in person.
He also rejected a letter from the minority side of Parliament claiming the MP was busy with parliamentary duties, hence his continuous absence from court.
The judge rejected the letter, insisting he would be going against his own ruling should he accept the letter from the minority caucus.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
News
Asset declaration is good, but lifestyle audit is key among public officials – Domelevo to Mahama

Former Auditor General Daniel Yaw Domelevo has commended President John Mahama for declaring his assets but stressed the need for a lifestyle audit to effectively curb corruption among public officials.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, February 18, he acknowledged the President’s move as a “good gesture” but raised concerns about the process.
“It is good to see that the President has declared his assets,” he said.
According to him, “I was not too happy seeing the envelope being given to the Auditor General because that goes more or less to support what people have all along been saying—that you put your declaration in an envelope, seal it, and give it to the Auditor General, which is not the case anyway.”
“This should have gone through the entire process so that they capture it because you are supposed to verify the signature and be sure that the form has been properly completed. That at least should have been done, but it was not done,”he said.
While appreciating President Mahama’s directive for his appointees and public office holders to declare their assets by March 31, Domelevo expressed reservations about the timeline.
“To be honest with you, I think March 31 is too far away because the Constitution provides that it should be declared before you take office,” he argued.
He added that “Some will argue that Act 550 allows six months, but Act 550 contradicts the Constitution. I have a letter in my possession, written by former Attorney General Gloria Akuffo, confirming that the provisions of subsection 4(1) of Act 550 contradict the Constitution. However, we have all been upholding and following that.”
Daniel Domelevo was particularly pleased with Mahama’s commitment to hold non-compliant officials accountable.
“I’m also happy the President says those who don’t declare are going to be punished or asked to leave office. I think that will cut across everybody, and that will be good,” he stated.
However, the former Auditor General stated that asset declaration alone is insufficient in tackling corruption.
“This declaration is good. We must add to it what we call a lifestyle audit and the reversal of the burden of proof,” Mr Domelevo insisted.
“If we don’t do these two things so that we can audit and find out ‘how did you get this money?’, people are going to hide their resources or their assets with their families and friends. Everybody who is suspected of being an ally of a political or public office holder must be subjected to a lifestyle audit,” he concluded.
Source: Myjoyonline.com