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COCOBOD Trial: Honyenuga shocked over Opuni’s witness sickness
The trial Judge presiding over the case of Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni and two others has expressed surprise at “sick” Opuni witness who “looks energetic two days ago” in court.
Samuel Torbi, a farmer at Assin Fosu, last Monday, May 16, gave his Evidence-in-Chief as the Second Defense Witness (DW2) for Dr. Opuni, the former Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD and was expected to face further cross-examination from the prosecution.
In court on Wednesday, when the case was called, Samuel Torbi, was reported sick and has been admitted at the Emergency Ward at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge).
“My Lord, my witness, Samuel Torbi DW2, who is in the box was expected to be in court to continue with the cross-examination by the prosecution,” Samuel Codjoe lead counsel for Opuni stated.
He added that, “Yesterday (Tuesday, May 16) evening, he (witness) sent through another person to bring an envelope containing a Ridge Hospital excuse duty form indicating that he is presently on admission at the Emergency Ward of the hospital.”
“I called him this morning (Wednesday) after I opened and read the content of the envelope which was addressed to me and he confirmed that presently, he is at the hospital and on admission at the said Emergency Ward.
“And he (witness) also informed me that, the doctors are saying that, they want to conduct further test on him and that they have assured him that after they finished this test, he will be released at the weekend.
“My Lord, I asked that, he get a medical report and send same to me so that I can show it to the court. But he informed me that the doctors say they don’t give patients medical records to the court unless the court request by a court order.
“I informed my learned friends at the bar this morning of this development and gave them photocopies of the Ridge Hospital excuse duties indicating that he is on admission,” counsel indicated to the court.
“In fact, he informed me what he is suffering from but I cannot disclose his ailment in open court because of confidentiality but I can inform the court in chambers. My Lord, this explains why he is not here today,” counsel concluded.
Counsel representing Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited (A2 and A3) said, “We sighted the excuse duty from Ridge and have no reservations.”
Prosecution express surprise
Prosecution led by Mrs. Evelyn Keelson, a Chief State Attorney, for her part, expressed surprise at the sudden turn of events.
“My Lord, I was shown a copy of the excused duty of the witness Samuel Torbi by my learned friend this morning. Indeed my lord, I expressed my surprise at the sudden turn of events since the witness appeared to be in very good health just a couple of days ago.
“My Lord, I also asked my learned friend why the excuse duty does not indicate the ailment the witness is suffering from and he told me of issues of confidentiality.
“My Lord, we were ready to proceed with our cross-examination this morning but unfortunately the witness is not available,” the Chief State Attorney remarked.
By court
Justice Clemence Honyenuga, the trail judge after listening to the parties also expressed suprise at the turn of events.
“I am equally suprise at the turn of events because the witness looks very energetic and did not look like anybody who could fall sick within two days. We were here on Monday.
“It seems witnesses for the first accused always fall sick during cross-examination. I remember, we had to adjourned this case for two weeks when DW1 was in the box. I am again equally suprise at the excuse duty form that no ailment has been stated on it. Before the court, nothing is hidden in terms of ailments or otherwise.
“This (Criminal) case has been going on for a whole four years without ending so it is very very unfortunate that, DW2 has to suffer the same fate as DW1,” the court.
The case was under the circumstances, adjourned to Monday, May 23.
Source: starrfm.com.gh
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GEXIM deepens relations with US EXIM Bank
A management team of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) led by the Acting Chief Executive, Sylvester Mensah met with the leadership of the Export–Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) on Wednesday April 23, 2025 in Washington DC, United States of America.
The Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM, Mr. James C. Cruse and Vice President, International Relations, Ms. Isabel Galdiz received the GEXIM delegation, which included Deputy CEO for Banking, Mr. Moses Klu Mensah and Head of International Cooperation, Mr. Jonathan Christopher Koney at the headquarters of US EXIM.
The meeting offered the GEXIM team the opportunity to share the strategic direction of the Bank in line with the resetting agenda of the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for the repositioning of the Ghanaian economy into an export-led one by providing the requisite investment to Ghanaian businesses.
Mr. James C. Cruse expressed US EXIM’s eagerness to deepen its existing relations with GEXIM and proposed the signing of a new Cooperative Framework Agreement following the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019 to utilize US EXIM’s medium term loan guarantees to procure machinery by GEXIM for qualified Ghanaian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Mr.Sylvester Mensah thanked the Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM for hosting the GEXIM delegation and reaffirmed the Ghanaian government’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment between Ghana and its global partners for economic transformation of Ghana with GEXIM playing a pivotal role.
The two teams will be meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 US EXIM Annual Conference on 29th and April 30, 2025 to explore possible areas of collaboration and matching Ghanaian businesses to American companies. The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts.
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
