News
Godfred Dame as A-G means innocent people will go to jail – Jakpa
The third accused in the controversial ambulance procurement trial, Richard Jakpa, has questioned the integrity of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame.
Jakpa and the first accused in the case, Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson, were on Tuesday acquitted and discharged of the charges of causing financial loss to the State.
Jakpa, a former soldier who had pleaded not guilty, sees his victory as upholding the rule of law, and described the Minister of Justice as a person who employs foul means against those who do not align with his interests.
He made these remarks following the 2:1 majority decision quashing the ambulance trial.
Calling the Attorney General names and accusing him of not playing by the rules, Jakpa said putting Yeboah Dame up as the Attorney General means one “…can rest assured that innocent people will be jailed. You either join them to pillage and run the country down and capture the whole country or they send you to jail.”
Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa, who is a representative for Big Sea, were accused of causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the State in a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.
The Court said the two have no case to answer, and therefore set aside an earlier decision of the High Court for the case to proceed, for which Richard Jakpa, the 3rd accused, has had to call a number of witnesses.
During the interaction with the press, Mr Jakpa explained that “almost all our institutions have been captured, they have been cowered into silence.We only have a few men of integrity who are still in state institutions, who are still trying to hold the rule of law and protect this democracy of ours. If it was left to these people in government, there would be nothing left for Ghanaians.”
Meanwhile, the Attorney General has vowed to appeal against the Appeals Court’s decision.
Godfred Dame indicated that his office “considers the decision of the Court of Appeal to be perverse in the quest for public accountability and the rule of law.”
“The decision clearly is heavily against the weight of the cogent evidence led by the prosecution in substantiation of all the charges against the accused persons at the trial,” he concluded.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
News
Consume Made-in-Ghana chocolates- Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie
She noted that the programme had helped to reshape the celebration of Valentine’s Day in Ghana by leveraging chocolate as a symbol of love, providing a longer period of engagement, and increased awareness.
Mrs Houadjeto said as local consumption of Ghanaian chocolate was being promoted, it would enhance domestic tourism, social cohesion and create jobs for the youth.
She stated that “cocoa is a stress reliever, helps to reduce blood pressure, improves the blood flow to the brain and boosts brain function, acts as a stimulant, and a natural aphrodisiac.”
She called on stakeholders in the entire value chain to continue to promote the consumption of chocolate and cocoa-based products, adding: “It must be continually nurtured and promoted to attract both national and international attention and participation.”
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
News
MTN Ghana Foundation, Regional Blood Bank organise blood donation exercise
The MTN Ghana Foundation, in partnership with the Eastern Regional Blood Bank, has organised the annual blood donation exercise to mark the Valentine’s Day celebration.
The exercise took place at the Manya Krobo Senior High School in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, and was on the theme: ‘Safe blood saves lives.’
The student donors were taken through a health checklist, including age, blood level, and weight to ensure health safety before donation, and after which they were provided with milk, milo, and other foods to replenish their blood.
Mr Ransford Gyan, the MTN Ghana Sales Manager for Eastern, Volta, and Oti regions, told the Ghana News Agency that the foundation had a target of about 6000 people partaking in the blood donation exercise across the 16 regions.
“Our belief is that we will get the target set this year to assist in easing the country’s blood shortage. Donating blood is a benevolent act of solidarity, why don’t you join the effort and help save lives,” he quizzed.
He said at the initial stage of the blood donation exercise introduced by the MTN Ghana Foundation, it was limited to MTN staff but now opened up to the society.
Ms Philomina Quayson, Eastern Regional Blood Bank Donor Organiser at the Regional Hospital, said, “Blood is an essential commodity in the hospital because it helps patients who have accidents, surgeries, or medical conditions.
So, I encourage individuals to save lives by visiting any government hospitals to donate blood.”
She said persons 17 years and above, who are free from health conditions such as sickle cell and hypertension could donate.
She urged the public to donate blood as it was good and safe.
Master Kingsley Nartey, a student of Manya Krobo Senior High School, said, “Today is my first time to participate in this exercise and I was panicking but after going through the processes, I realised it was not painful and scary.” —GNA
