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Absa Bank Ghana, Genser Energy and partners donate medical supplies to help fight COVID-19

Absa Bank Ghana in collaboration with Genser Energy Ghana and its partners has made a donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies to the Ghana Armed Forces COVID Task Force and the Ashanti Regional Hospital, to complement government’s effort in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
The other partners are Barak Fund and Africa 50.
The items worth $50,000 include medical protective masks and goggles as well as two sets of ventilators.
Commenting on the donation, the Corporate Banking Director at Absa Bank Ghana, Mrs Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa, noted that, COVID-19 was a major public health issue with profound economic and social consequences on Ghanaians.
“Our strategic collaboration with our clients to support frontline institutions is a demonstration of our commitment to work with all stakeholders to help win the fight against COVID-19. We recognise the sacrifice of our frontline workers for Ghana and we deem it important to support them with the necessary equipment to protect them as they put their lives on the line to save others. We are in this together and we must support each other to win over COVID-19,” she added.
Speaking on behalf of Genser Energy, the Financial Controller, Haruna Abdulai, said, “Genser Energy recognises the importance of stronger partnerships and the positive impact it has on communities. Our organisation remains committed to supporting those providing essential services while leading the fight against COVID-19.”
Receiving the items on behalf of the Kumasi South Hospital, the Medical Director, Dr Kwame Boadu, expressed appreciation to Absa Bank, Genser Energy Ghana and its partners for the support and commended the companies for showing care to the health workers helping in the fight against COVID-19.
“We are grateful to Absa Bank and Genser Energy for the support and especially for the set of ventilators. The ventilators are very important in managing the serious cases and these are going to be dedicated to the treatment centre,” he said.
The Kumasi South Hospital is the main health facility for the COVID-19 treatment in the region and recorded Ghana’s first COVID-19 recovery as well as the first successful COVID-19 delivery by an infected mother.
According to Absa Bank Ghana, it has so far committed more than GH₵ 1.6 million Ghana to the fight against Coronavirus.
This includes a donation of GH₵ 1 million to the COVID-19 National Trust Fund towards the procurement of test kits and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to support increased testing and the protection of frontline health workers.
In addition, Absa is offering several relief packages to help reduce the economic impact on customers, as a result of the pandemic.
BY TIMES REPORTER
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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