News
ARS asks ‘secessionists’ to change name
The Executive Committee of the General Conference of the Apostle’sRevelation Church (ARS) has cautioned those who want to secede from the church not to use their name, else they would seek redress in court.
The “secessionists”, led by Apostle Attipoe were also asked to hand over all ARS Church properties in their possession by the end of October 2022.
These decisions were taken at an emergency meeting held by the executive committee at Tadzewu in the Volta Region last Saturday.
The 83-year-old church had been embroiled in power struggle following the demise of the Founder, C.K. N. Wovenu in 1999, after earlier decreeing that after his passing, the executive committee, the general conference governing body should take charge of the church.
The chairman of the conference, TogbuiAvliIV, who briefed the media, said peace overtures had been made towards Apostle Attipoe and his group since 2018 but to no avail.
He said Apostle Tehn Addy, TogbeDuteluiAttipoe, Anthony Adjadzi, Charles Nutorsti, and others from Attipoe’s camp agreed to rejoin the mother church but Apostle Attipoe refused to make peace and went ahead to establish his headquarters at Gbedzi near Dzodze.
TogbeAvli said the church had no option but to ban Apostle Attipoe from operating in the name of ARS and should hand over all church properties in his possession.
He said the peace and unity initiative to bring back renegades to the ARS fold, yielded some considerable results which included some people from Apostle Attipoe’s camp.
Meanwhile, a 21-member Planning Committee chaired by Rev Ewornuku Attrah, has been tasked to plan the 83rd anniversary of the church.
It will be celebrated both at the headquarters and at Gbedzi under the sole control of the executive and planning committee.
He said after the unity had been achieved it would be celebrated only at new Tadzewu.
Avery credible source in Apostle Attipoe’s camp who pleaded anonymity, told The Spectator on Wednesday that they were not ready to reconcile with the mother church, neither would they also change the ARS name.
“We are ready to slug it out in court if it comes to that”, he stressed.
By Francis Xah
News
Okudzeto Ablakwa meets US Ambassador over imposition of 10% tariff
The Ambassador of the United States of America, Her Excellency Virginia Palmer today honoured an invitation from the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) to discuss the imposition of 10% tariff by the United States of America on Ghana, effective April 5, 2025.
The Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi and other officials from his Ministry joined the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The US Ambassador indicated that the tariff did not maliciously target Ghana but was intended
to address the significant trade imbalances between the USA and its partners such as Ghana.
The Ambassador however, informed that the tariff is being imposed, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA).
She further intimated that the 10% tariff imposition exempts some products like oil and gas,
and energy related products that Ghana exports to the United States.
It emerged that products
exported under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) initiative are affected.
The meeting additionally discussed the possible exemption of other sectors, particularly with cocoa and garments.
Both sides agreed towork together to mitigate challenges including
potential job losses.
The Ministries of Foreign A ffairs and Trade, Agribusiness and Industry would continue to engage the USA authorities on how to mitigate and alleviate the effect of the tariffs on Ghanaian businesses and the Ghanaian economy generally through bilateral and diplomatie means.
Ghana and the USA affirm their strong and cordial relations.
News
Disciplinary Committee Sitting: Adwoa Safo fumes after‘No-Show’
The former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, today stormed the party’s headquarters at Asylum Down with her supporters.
This was to follow up on an invitation to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee, unfortunately, the committee did not sit today.
Addressing the media at the party’s headquarters, Adwoa Safo said she was unaware of the decision to suspend her appearance before the disciplinary committee today.
“There was no committee sitting today. I had an engagement with a national party officer, but there was no hearing. I’m left wondering why I was served a summons on a Sunday for a meeting that didn’t take place. If there was a change of plans, why wasn’t I personally informed? Why wasn’t I contacted by phone? Some of you have my number directly,” she said.
She further added, “As a party, we need to take these matters more seriously. I came here ready for the committee meeting, but now I find myself in a situation where there’s no hearing, no committee, and no explanation. This could have been handled much more effectively.”
“The message being sent to the public is that I have done something wrong, something untoward, and that I have come here to be disciplined,” she said.
The former Member of Parliament expressed frustration, “I’ve come here, but there is no one here, which suggests the case is either baseless or there is no finding on it. I thought this matter could have been handled better, which is why I came here today to see what was happening, only to find nothing has been done.” Is this how I’m being treated? It’s disheartening.”
Adwoa Safo reaffirmed her commitment to the party “I will be available to appear before the party whenever I’m called upon.”
The party summoned her to the disciplinary committee following her comments on JoyNews’ The Pulse show, which was considered as a direct violation of an earlier directive prohibiting members from discussing matters that could create disaffection and unrest within the party.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
