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CDD, MFWA, three other NGOs sue govt over GH₵1bn paid to SML

Five Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are seeking the recovery of over GH₵1 billion paid to Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).

Earlier this year, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo tasked audit firm KPMG to audit the transaction between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML.

This contract was aimed at enhancing revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals resources value chain.

The KPMG report revealed that the GRA did not obtain the necessary approvals from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) or Parliament for the contract.

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In response to the report’s findings, the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Human Rights and Governance Centre, and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) have filed a lawsuit against the government.

Executive Director of MFWA, Sulemana Braimah, stated in an interview with Citi News on Monday that “I think that if anything at all we would say that it’s based on some of the findings of the KPMG report that required that actions be taken to ensure that what is due the state comes back to the state.”

He added, “It has nothing to do with being satisfied with the KPMG report. If anything at all that gave us a little more into what we thought were the wrong things that were done in relation to the contract.”

“We are a country that is supposed to be governed by law and laws are not made for the beauty of having laws. Laws are made so that things will be done properly. Laws are made so that there will be equity, there will be fairness, there will be justness and there be accountability and in our view, the award of the SML contract and the delivery of the contract had in our view a number of things that are at variance with the laws of our land particularly and specifically relating to public procurement, laws regarding parliamentary oversight and so on,” he said.

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“Essentially we are saying if these laws were breached the right things must be done. If we’ve lost money as a result of these breaches, the money must be retrieved and sent back to the state. So essentially, we are saying the laws were not followed, monies have been paid and those monies must be brought back to the state,” he stated.

Source: Citinewsroom.com

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You won’t regret, I’ll make you proud – Newly elected GBA president

The newly elected President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Efua Ghartey, has vowed to lead the Association towards a united and progressive future.

Speaking after her historic election in Kumasi on Wednesday, Ghartey pledged to resolve divisions and end factions within the GBA, emphasising the importance of unity.

She stressed that the Association’s success depends on the collective effort of all members and called for a shared commitment to advancing the GBA’s goals.

According to her, “The Bar has spoken and from this day forward it is a united Bar in service. No divisions, no factions. It is over. It is time that we put shoulders to the plough and work to deliver what we believe should be the bar in progress.”

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“This indeed is something new, something novel that the bar for the first time has entrusted leadership to the ladies and I know that with God’s help, we shall make you proud,” she said.

“We shall serve you with all our ability and we shall make sure that you will never regret this choice,” she stated.

Mrs Ghartey’s election is being hailed as a transformative moment for the GBA, as it ushers in new leadership that is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the legal profession in Ghana.

She polled 1,278 votes to beat her closest contender Agbesi Dzakpasu who polled 1060.

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Mrs Ghartey, a seasoned lawyer of over 30 years’ standing at the Bar and with an extensive track record of service to the GBA, was running for national president for the third time.

Her two previous attempts ended in a narrow loss to Tony Forson, the immediate past president of the GBA, and Yaw Boafo, the current national president, by thin margins of 67 and 65 votes, respectively.

Undeterred by these setbacks, Mrs Ghartey who is also the wife of former Attorney General, Joe Ghartey, spent the past six years consistently voicing her intention to lead the GBA.

In the Vice Presidential race, Victoria Barth polled 1624 of the total votes to win the race defeating Ebenezer Kwaitoo who polled 495 votes.

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Victoria Barth is an accomplished legal professional, well known for her stellar academic career at the Ghana School of Law, where she has mentored and taught many young lawyers.

Source: Citinewsroom.com 

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Alan Kyeremateng nominates Kwame Owusu Danso as running mate

Leader of the Movement for Change, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has nominated a young lawyer and media practitioner as his running mate.

Revealing his running mate, he said “I have nominated a young person, a lawyer by profession, a political activist, and his name is Kwame Owusu Danso, as my running mate.”

Speaking after submitting his nomination to contest for the Presidency at the Electoral Commission today, he noted that someone who is a youth advocate, Kwame Owusu Danso would bring his expertise to his candidacy for the needed transformation.

Mr.Kyerematen highlighted that Mr.Owusu Danso’s selection aligns with the aspirations of Ghana’s youth who are seeking greater inclusion in governance decisions.

Additionally, he stressed that Mr.Danso’s is a youth icon, recognized for his versatility and broad talents across corporate management, law, broadcast journalism, music, and civil society activism.

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He is optimistic that God will guide their footsteps to victory come December 7,2024, adding that by this step, MFC is providing a platform for a non-partisan candidate to be elected as President.

Mr.Kyerematen further noted  that Mr.Danso’s consistent history of advocating for public causes, especially in promoting quality governance, further strengthens his credibility.

His work with renowned professionals such as Dr. Lloyd Amoah of the University of Ghana, and governance experts like Dr. Kojo Asante and Dr. Franklin Oduro of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), underscores his commitment to transparency and accountability.

Mr.Owusu Danso as a founding member of the Forum for Accountable Governance (FAG), Danso has been dedicated to issues such as anti-corruption, electoral reforms, environmental governance, and human rights over the period.

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By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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