Features

Domelevo: A set up against Akufo-Addo’s government?

The Executive Secretary to the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Bediatuo Asante, has fired an open letter to the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, which were seemingly prodding on the immediate past Auditor General, Mr Daniel Yaw Domelevo, to “misbehave” towards the Akufo-Addo government.

The 21-page open letter, dated 19th March, 2021, and signed by Nana Bediatuo Asante, contains a lot of “fireworks” on corruption and retirement of Mr Domelevo.

From the detailed write-up of the Executive Secretary, explaining the issues related to “the rise and fall” of Mr Domelevo as Auditor General, one can make a lot of deductions to arrive at a number of conclusions.

For now, I will attempt to limit this piece to the issue related to Kroll Associates and the Senior Minister. The other issues may be considered in my subsequent write-ups.

Indeed, until the explanation in the open letter by the Executive Secretary, a lot of Ghanaians were misled into believing that the government and the Senior Minister had something sinister to do with the contract award to Kroll Associates.

The impression created was that, “create, loot and share” was “germinating” in the contract awarded to Kroll Associates because Mr Domelevo claimed that there was no evidence of any work done by Kroll Associates and yet over one million dollars had been paid to the company.

The public was also misled into thinking that the Senior Minister had colluded with Kroll Associates to milk the nation dry.

According to the open letter, government engaged Kroll Associates, a reputable international company, to assist in investigations into alleged corrupt acts of former President Mahama’s government.

Nana Bediatuo Asante says: “The work of Kroll Associates, under the agreement, includes asset tracing and asset searching …. which will be produced as evidence for prosecution and, therefore, considered as privileged and confidential information and reports.”

An example of Kroll Associates’ work is COCOBOD’s case in respect of the on-going trial of Dr Stephen K. Opuni and Seidu Agongo.

And when Mr Domelevo questioned the actual work done by Kroll Associates for which payment had been affected, the Senior Minister reportedly stated in his letter to the Auditor General that Kroll was still investigating some matters that were confidential, privileged and classified security matters, which could not be disclosed at that stage.

“They are, however, available at the office of the Senior Minister for your inspection and they will be available after the investigations for your inspection and study,” the Senior Minister added in his letter to the Auditor General.

After all, what is the essence of public officers swearing oath of allegiance to the state and swearing oath of secrecy? According to Nana Bediatuo, however, Mr Domelevo flatly refused to inspect the confidential documents and instead, issued a notice of specification and certification of disallowance against the Senior Minister and Kroll Associates.

The Senior Minister then appealed against the notice of disallowance and surcharge at the High Court and the High Court ordered Mr Domelevo to inspect the documents at the office of the Senior Minister.

Nana Bediatuo Asante said, Mr Domelevo engaged in “unacceptable and unconscionable conduct,” stressing that “his conduct was a patent abuse of office.”

However, the fact of the matter is that, Mr Domelevo started-off very well as Auditor General protecting the national purse. And almost every rational Ghanaian was enthused by the “revolutionary zeal” he adopted in performing his duties.

But in the belly of his “revolutionary zeal” was embedded intemperate and dictatorial tendencies, thus, seeing himself, as over and above the Audit Service Board and sometimes, saddling his appointing authority with very cheeky administrative issues.

Per our national constitution, no President of Ghana can be compelled to publicly assign reasons why he appoints Mr “A” or Mr “B” to certain political positions.

Again, per our national constitution, no President of Ghana can even be persuaded to publicly give reasons why he appoints Mrs “Q” or Mrs “Y” into any political office.

This is so, unless our cousins in the “wig profession” can point out where in the constitution, our President can be compelled to publicly tell the nation, why he appoints Mr “A” or Mr “B” into public office.

And our national constitution does not also say that our President must not appoint people into office even if they are very much aware that they have lost their mandate at the end of their tenure at December 7, polls.

The understanding is that the end of the tenure of our President comes on January 7, every four years, when he is handing over to a new President or to himself.

Otherwise, one would have asked former President Mahama a number of questions including: (a) Why was Mr Domelevo appointed at the “injury time” of his presidency?

(b) Why was Mr Domelevo’s appointment rushed through the Council of State on the 13th of December 2016?

(d) Mr Mahama: Did you charge Mr Domelevo to “cover your back” for you in any alleged corrupt or fraud case involving your government; that ought to be investigated by the Auditor General and frustrate such actions?

From the fallout of Mr Domelevo’s appointment, will it be out of place for a law to be instituted against substantive appointment of any high-ranking state official, three months before general elections?

Such high-ranking state officials, in my view, must be categorised in law. For instance, if it is heads of constitutional bodies or heads of the security services, it must be clearly stated in the law.

So that there will be no last minute “smuggling” of certain people into sensitive state institutions to do the bidding of their “defeated” masters.

I hope, however, the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations will soon reply to the open letter because, for me, it contains a lot of “wisdom” meat, juices and spices for good health.

Meanwhile, the question on the lips of many people is: Why did the government wait for too long before coming out to explain properly to Ghanaians the actual issues enveloping the Kroll Associates and the Senior Minister?

G. Frank Asmah

Features

Preventing the brain’s melting point with BOS

The human brain is a complex and delicate organ, susceptible to damage from various factors, including extreme temperatures.

The brain’s melting point, also known as the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, is a critical concern for individuals seeking to maintain optimal cognitive function.

Fortunately, the Brain Operating System (BOS) offers a revolutionary solution to prevent the brain’s melting point.

Understanding the brain’s melting point

The brain’s melting point refers to the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, leading to irreversible damage.

This temperature threshold varies depending on individual factors, such as age, health, and environmental conditions. However, research suggests that the brain’s melting point is approximately 104°F (40°C) to 107°F (42°C).

The role of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point

BOS, a cutting-edge technology, plays a crucial role in preventing the brain’s melting point. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, ensuring that it remains within a safe range.

How BOS prevents the brain’s melting point

BOS prevents the brain’s melting point through several mechanisms:

1. Temperature regulation: BOS continuously monitors brain temperature, adjusting neural activity to maintain a stable temperature.

2. Heat dissipation: BOS enhances heat dissipation through increased blood flow and sweating.

3. Neuro protection: BOS protects neurons from heat-induced damage.

Benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point

The benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point are numerous:

1. Prevents brain damage: BOS prevents brain damage caused by excessive heat.

2. Maintains cognitive function: BOS ensures optimal cognitive function by maintaining stable brain temperature.

3. Enhances brain resilience: BOS enhances brain resilience to temperature fluctuations.

Real-World applications of BOS

BOS has various real-world applications:

1. High-performance computing: BOS enables high-performance computing by maintaining optimal brain temperature.

2. Medical applications: BOS has medical applications, such as treating heat-related illnesses.

3. Space exploration: BOS is crucial for space exploration, where extreme temperatures pose a significant risk.

Conclusion

BOS is a revolutionary technology that prevents the brain’s melting point, ensuring optimal cognitive function and overall well-being. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, protecting against heat-related damage.

Glossary:

1. BOS: Brain Operating System.

2. Brain’s melting point: Temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade.

3. Neural interface: Connects human brain with digital devices.

Contact Information

virginvtech@yahoo.com

Additional resources:

1. BOS research: Explore scientific studies.

2. Neural interface resources: Discover books and articles.

3. Brain-computer interface communities: Join online forums.

Future directions

As BOS technology continues to evolve, we can expect:

1. Improved temperature regulation: Enhanced temperature regulation mechanisms.

2. Increased cognitive enhancement: Advanced cognitive enhancement capabilities.

3. Expanded applications: New applications in various fields.

By harnessing the power of BOS, individuals can safeguard their brain health and maintain optimal cognitive function, even in extreme environments.

By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson

Features

Lotto wahala and Tuobodom palaver

• Lotto has been the financial messiah of many

In Sikaman lotto is not a game. It is a profession, a noble career which people aspire to. It is the highest paying profession after armed robbery and the most widespread job on this side of the Atlantic.

In places like China, lotto is a disease that has no cure. Once you are infected, no doctor on earth can cure you. May be Kofi Larteh, Ghana’s most celebrated magician, can help ease the symptoms, but no definitive cure will be forthcoming.

Coming back to Sikaman, lotto has been the financial messiah of many. That is how people look after their large families, pay school fees, marry two wives and do their own ‘monkey things.’

If you are very poor and you win a lottery, chances are that you will die before you even collect the money. You’ll die out of excitement or you’ll start day-dreaming in the streets and an articulated truck will hit you.

As such, very heavy wins are not recommended for poor people, lest they get listed too soon in the obituary columns.

The sad story is told of a heavy-duty caterpillar driver who had a very heavy lotto windfall of several millions, his first big win after several years.

CATERPILLAR

He was driving the caterpillar home when he saw his son running towards him, shouting. “All your numbers have dropped! All your numbers have dropped! He could not believe his ears.

All the four numbers he had staked had dropped and his son, who had gone to stake them for him, was himself over-excited. The poor caterpillar man just could not handle the good news. He suddenly stepped on the brakes and the caterpillar jolted him a trifle too violently, throwing him off. He landed right in front of the still moving heavy-duty machine and it crushed him flat.

I don’t think the bloke would have died if he had won a smaller amount. Sometimes too much cash is not good for the health.

Seldom, people get too confident and that can also result in a wake-keeping, like that of a man who used his lifetime savings and borrowed extra money to crack the machine with a two-sure that the compiler must compulsory drop or the world will end.

Even the shadows of the numbers or their counterparts were nowhere near the winning numbers. His shock-absorbers crumbled under the weight of the heavy disappointment. He crashed to the floor and started foaming at the mouth. He was declared dead on arrival at the nearest clinic.

WINDFALL

Recently, there was a countrywide lotto windfall, and in Kumasi it was more than a festival. Most stakers had between ¢30m and ¢40 million on two-sure that the lotto magicians had predicted at least three weeks earlier,

Kejetia chop bars were besieged with overnight millionaires, carrying huge appetites induced by Opeimu Bitters popularly called Opeimu Peters. All the meat and mudfish got sold out within an hour and procurement agents had to double up to restock.

While some were celebrating, others were weeping and gnashing teeth. The problem was that, three weeks beforehand, the two sure numbers were declared by all the lotto sorcerers, dreamers, magicians, tellers and all the self-appointed and self-promoted forecasters.

Everybody including 10-year-olds, who staked and lost. The following week, they were advised to continue staking. The faithful did continue but the faithless stopped. All of them lost. In the third week or so, a good number of confident stakers had lost faith in the two numbers. That was when the number landed.

So the windfall was for only those who had the unshakeable faith in the numbers. See what faith can do? It can move dollars. Don’t waver, so saith the holy scriptures.

The faithless indeed gnashed teeth. The winners on the other hand celebrated with a song that is as controversial as the business of lotto. It is a song played by the group called Nkasei and has something to do with a town in the Brong Ahafo Region called Tuobodom whose capital we hear is Jinijini.

I hear it is a derogatory song and the queen mother of Tuobodom got charged and breathed out electric current during her protest on air. She allegedly ended up demanding a mobile phone from Nkasei so that she could communicate with them to settle the matter peacefully, lest wahala.

Well, the song is rising up the charts and Nkasei are making the dough, but should it be at the expense of a whole townsfolk, their forebears and generations to come?

WATERPROOF

Waterproof, the famous comedian, was allegedly given hefty slaps at the Kumasi rail station by some Frafra jingoists who felt he was deriding their tribe. And Bob Okala had to run with his tail between his legs when he was confronted and realised that slaps were going to be visited on his lean face.

Let’s not use words and lyrics to cause discomfort to others.

This article was first published on Saturday July 9, 2005