News
Auditor-General rejects MPs salary arrears…They seek redress in court
The Auditor-General has rejected a request by the Chief of Staff for an audit verification to be conducted for the payment of salary arrears to be given to more than 200 former and current Members of Parliament (MP).
Daniel Domelevo, the Auditor-General, explained that the request made by the former MPs was invalid and amounted to a conflict of interest because most of the beneficiaries were either serving as members of the current government, including the president and the Chief of Staff or were still in parliament.
In a letter dated May 8, 2020, the Auditor-General had however, stated that because some MPs on list for salary arrears were under investigation for receiving double salaries, it would not be right to pay any further monies to them.
The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare’s request was based on a letter from a group known as Forum for Former Members of Parliament (FFMPs), some of whom left Parliament more than 10 years ago.
They are requesting payment of arrears of salaries and emoluments amounting to more than GH¢29.7 million owed its members by the State, and won’t give up on its demands and will seek redress at appropriate quarters.
Mr Domelevo cited case of conflict of interest since some beneficiaries of payment of supposed salary arrears were occupants of various positions in executive arm of the government, whom he described as ‘the approving authority’.
But David Apasera, former MP for Bolgatanga Central Constituency in the Upper East Region for Peoples National Convention (PNC) and leader of Forum, said they were not moved by the decision of the Auditor-General, saying, “ Options are there if you have an entitlement and the government is refusing you your entitlement, you can go through right quarters for redress.
“The appropriate quarters are there, we can go to for redress, we are not bothered by opinion of Auditor-General, if Auditor-General had time to listen to us, he would have understood our case, nobody told us to come up with issue, we took it up on our own, we didn’t go to discuss with Chief of Staff, we did it on our own because it is legitimate,” Mr Apasera bemoaned.
For his part, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was unhappy with the Auditor-General’s decision to reject the Chief of Staff’s request for conduct of an audit verification that would pave way for payment of salary arrears to be made to more than 200 former and current MPs.
He, however, clarified contrary to Auditor-General’s assertion, just about four MPs from Majority would have benefitted from payments and described it as unfortunate comment to come from the Auditor General and Majority who would otherwise come for consideration were only three or four but the Minority have many.
“It is my considered opinion former MPs are not entitled to what they are asking for, but it also came to me as surprise our former MPs are making such request at time of pandemic which has taken the entire world by surprise,” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said. -citinewsroom.com
News
Chief of Abesim destooled
The Dominase Royal Family of Abesim, near Sunyani in the Bono Region, has destooled Barima Kumi Akyeaw III as Chief of Abesim, following a ruling by the Sunyani High Court.
The decision was announced at a media briefing at Abesim on Sunday by the Head of the royal family, Nana Agyei Saarah, who stated that the chief, known in private life as Kelvin Anane Addo, was improperly nominated, elected, and installed.
According to Nana Agyei Saarah, apart from the irregular installation process, the former chief engaged in several actions that brought the Abesim stool into disrepute.
The Sunyani High Court, presided over by Justice Nathan P. Yarney, delivered the ruling on March 25, 2025.
The court upheld that Barima Kumi Akyeaw III was invalidly enstooled, citing a breach of customary procedure.
The Court further noted that the nomination process, conducted by the Adehyepanin (Abakomahene), following the death of the Queen mother of Abesim, failed to follow due traditional process.
He emphasised that under Abesim stool custom- which forms part of the Kyidom Division of the Dormaa Traditional Council, the Abakomahene assumes the authority to nominate candidates in the absence of a Queen mother.
Three candidates—Christian, Kelvin, and one Agyekum were reportedly nominated.
However, the court held that since there was a pending petition before the Judicial Committee of the Dormaa Traditional Council against Kelvin Anane Addo, it was inappropriate for the Dormaahene and his Divisional Chiefs to proceed with his nomination and installation.
Justice Yarney ruled that any act, whether described as opinion, advice, or otherwise, that causes grievance to another, may be subject to the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Abesim
News
Man narrowly escapes death, accused of stealing 19 fowls, a dog
A 42-year-old man, Kwabena Otoo, narrowly escaped death on the dawn of Monday when residents of Assin Adubiase lynched him, having been accused of stealing 19 fowls and a dog.
“I heard the commotion from my house,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous. “By the time I reached the scene, there was already a crowd surrounding him. His pleas for mercy were drowned by angry voices.”
Otoo, bleeding profusely and severely injured, might have lost his life if not for a timely distress call to the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Command.
Officers arrived around 4am, pushing through the mob to rescue the battered man.
“We found him in critical condition,” shared one responding officer. “Every minute counted in getting him medical attention.”
Now recovering at the Assin Fosu Polyclinic, Otoo suffered physical wounds but also faces uncertain future as investigations continue.
Medical staff report indicated that he suffered multiple injuries requiring immediate treatment.
Community members claim Otoo’s contradictory answers during questioning triggered their suspicions and subsequent assault.
One witness explained that, “people here have lost too much to thieves… frustration has been building for months.”
The Police have confirmed Otoo is from neighbouring Assin Odumase and are calling for anyone missing fowls or a dog to come forward as part of their investigation.
“This could have ended in tragedy,” warned a police spokesperson. “We understand community frustrations, but mob justice is never the answer. We urge citizens to report crimes rather than taking matters into their own hands.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
