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UMaT retains W/R Indece Day inter-district quiz competition

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) Basic School, Tarkwa, in the Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region, has retained its championship title at the fifth annual Western Region Independence Day Inter-District JHS Quiz Competition held recently at Tarkwa.
UMaT Basic School obtained 82 points to beat Christ Leading International School from Ellembele, and Peace International School from Jomoro Municipality to the second and third positions with 77 and 76 points respectively.
The S.I.P.L School from the Wassa East District placed fourth with 69 points, whiles St Anthony Roman Catholic School from Effia Kwesimintsim placed fifth with 60 points and St Augustinus Preparatory School from Nzema East placed sixth with 58 points.
The eleven schools, which represented Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the competition were chosen based on their performance at the 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The contestants were quizzed on issues pertaining to the history of Ghana (pre and post colonial, pre and post independence), chieftaincy and tradition, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Arts and Culture, Science and environment, sports and general knowledge.
Nana HRH Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, the Paramount Chief of Wassa Amenfi Traditional Area, and chairman of the programme, commended the students for their excellent performance, and urged them to remain focused in their studies.
He asked teachers to adhere to the ethics of the profession and refrain from unacceptable activities that jeopardised their work.
The Executive Chairman for the planning and organising committee, Nana Obrempong Hima Dekyi XIV, the Paramount Chief of Upper Dixcove Traditional Area, thanked the numerous sponsors for their invaluable assistance and their determination to ensure that education was accorded the importance it deserved in the region.
He said the competition was designed to improve the abilities of the contestants, inculcate in them team work and added that this year’s performance was better than the previous year’s.
Mr Gilbert Asmah, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Tarkwa Nsuaem on behalf of the Western Regional Minister, said the promotion of historical values of Ghana would provide the appropriate platform for the development and growth of the country.
He urged the MMDAs and District Education Directors to enforce measures to raise the level of education in their areas.
Mr Addo Dankwa Akuffo, the Western Regional Director of Education who congratulated the participants for their sterling performance, also commended the sponsors for their invaluable assistance.
Mr Robert Siaw, the Regional Manager for Community Relations, Goldfield Ghana Limited, headline sponsors of the quiz competition, said education held the key to development and that was why Goldfield had agreed to sponsor the programme.
Ms Sally Acheampong, the CSR Coordinator of Takoradi International Company (TAQA-TICO), commended the traditional leaders of the region for championing education which was in line with TICO’s vision.
The winners of the competition received prizes some of which included a trophy, HP laptop, multipurpose printer, medals, textbooks, plaques and certificates. They also received Mathematics, Science, English and Information Communication Technology textbooks.
News
High Court issues bench warrant for disputed Akwatia MP following contempt conviction

A Koforidua High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the presumed winner of the Akwatia parliamentary seat in the Eastern region, after convicting him of contempt of court.
The court issued the bench warrant for Kumi’s arrest after he failed to attend court.
The conviction comes after he disobeyed an interim injunction against him on January 7, prohibiting him from being sworn in and admitted as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Akwatia constituency due to an ongoing legal contest over his election.
Mr Kumi presented himself in Parliament to be sworn in on January 7, 2025.
The Judge, Justice Senyo Amedahe held that the convict, throughout the hearing of the contempt case, failed to appear in court in person.
He also rejected a letter from the minority side of Parliament claiming the MP was busy with parliamentary duties, hence his continuous absence from court.
The judge rejected the letter, insisting he would be going against his own ruling should he accept the letter from the minority caucus.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Asset declaration is good, but lifestyle audit is key among public officials – Domelevo to Mahama

Former Auditor General Daniel Yaw Domelevo has commended President John Mahama for declaring his assets but stressed the need for a lifestyle audit to effectively curb corruption among public officials.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, February 18, he acknowledged the President’s move as a “good gesture” but raised concerns about the process.
“It is good to see that the President has declared his assets,” he said.
According to him, “I was not too happy seeing the envelope being given to the Auditor General because that goes more or less to support what people have all along been saying—that you put your declaration in an envelope, seal it, and give it to the Auditor General, which is not the case anyway.”
“This should have gone through the entire process so that they capture it because you are supposed to verify the signature and be sure that the form has been properly completed. That at least should have been done, but it was not done,”he said.
While appreciating President Mahama’s directive for his appointees and public office holders to declare their assets by March 31, Domelevo expressed reservations about the timeline.
“To be honest with you, I think March 31 is too far away because the Constitution provides that it should be declared before you take office,” he argued.
He added that “Some will argue that Act 550 allows six months, but Act 550 contradicts the Constitution. I have a letter in my possession, written by former Attorney General Gloria Akuffo, confirming that the provisions of subsection 4(1) of Act 550 contradict the Constitution. However, we have all been upholding and following that.”
Daniel Domelevo was particularly pleased with Mahama’s commitment to hold non-compliant officials accountable.
“I’m also happy the President says those who don’t declare are going to be punished or asked to leave office. I think that will cut across everybody, and that will be good,” he stated.
However, the former Auditor General stated that asset declaration alone is insufficient in tackling corruption.
“This declaration is good. We must add to it what we call a lifestyle audit and the reversal of the burden of proof,” Mr Domelevo insisted.
“If we don’t do these two things so that we can audit and find out ‘how did you get this money?’, people are going to hide their resources or their assets with their families and friends. Everybody who is suspected of being an ally of a political or public office holder must be subjected to a lifestyle audit,” he concluded.
Source: Myjoyonline.com