Connect with us

News

Akufo-Addo did not accept to be interviewed for my book – Manasseh

Published

on

Investigative journalist and author Manasseh Azure Awuni has shared the challenges he faced in attempting to interview President Akufo-Addo for his forthcoming book, “The President Ghana Never Got.”

The 400-page book documents major events during the 8-year reign of President Akufo-Addo.

According to him, he engaged with the President’s cousin, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko to secure an interview with the President, however, all efforts proved futile.

Narrating the happening on JoyNews’ AM Show, he said “I initially wanted to speak to President Akufo-Addo when writing this book. I remember speaking to his cousin, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko… people had told me that he [the President] wasn’t happy with the work I was doing. So I asked Gabby if there was a possibility of speaking to him, and he said, ‘I don’t think he will speak to you.’ I asked why, and he said, ‘The President thinks you’ve been mean to him’.”

Advertisement

“And I said ‘But I even spoke to former President Mahama [despite criticising him]’ and Gabby said ‘People are different and how they process things differs’,” he added.

Returning to Mr Otchere-Darko, the investigative journalist said he was advised to send a letter to the President first.

However, given the timing and his looming deadline, he decided not to pursue this further.

He further noted that even though he was unable to speak directly with the President, he managed to conduct extensive interviews with other members of the government, which provided valuable insights.

Advertisement

“I spoke to a number of people within his government who confirmed a lot of things, and I had an extensive interview with Gabby for about two hours, where I asked questions about some of the decisions, the family, among other things,” he said.

“So I don’t think I missed anything significant from not speaking to the president for this book. I would have loved to but the circumstances didn’t permit,” he stressed.

“The President Ghana Never Got” is a 400-paged and 40-chaptered book on the reign of President Akufo-Addo.

Announcing the launch of the book, the journalist said it has “revealing and riveting content, which some may find explosive.”

Advertisement

It would be launched on August 8, 2024, at the Christ the King Parish Hall, Opposite the Jubilee House in Accra.

This book is his latest project on successive governments. In 2016, when the country’s former President, John Dramani Mahama was preparing to leave office, Manasseh released a book on him titled “The Fourth John: Reign, Rejection & Rebound”.

Similarly, the “The President Ghana Never Got” book promises to be a compelling read, offering nuances that influenced certain decisions of the current administration.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

Advertisement

News

MTN Ghana, FC, Rainforest Alliance move to restore Chipa Forest Reserve

Published

on

A Forestry Commission staff demonstrating how to plant and nurture a tree

MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.

The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.

It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.

Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.

The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.

Advertisement

Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.

“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.

The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.

The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.

Advertisement

SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS

You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.

Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27

Continue Reading

News

Education Ministry warns of fake, manipulated CSSPS placement slips

Published

on

Haruna Iddrisu


The Ministry of Education (MOE) has warned students, parents and guardians against fake and digitally manipulated Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) placement slips being circulated on social media. 

 The MOE said it had detected attempts by some unscrupulous individuals to digitally alter placement slips and circulate them online with claims that students’ original school placements had been changed by the Ministry. 

A statement signed by Mr Hashmin Mohammed, the Press Secretary to the Minister of Education issued to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, described the claims as “false and misleading.”  

 It said preliminary internal verification had established that some of the placement slips being circulated did not correspond with records generated from the official CSSPS platform. 

Advertisement

The statement noted that discrepancies had been identified in the barcodes and QR codes appearing on some of the purported placement slips. 

 “The codes did not match the placement information displayed on the documents being circulated as evidence of alleged changes,” it added. 

The Ministry’s system records and audit logs did not support the claims being made by individuals circulating the materials, the statement said. 

“The evidence available to the Ministry indicates that the affected documents have been digitally manipulated or otherwise altered to create the impression that students’ placements have been changed.”  

Advertisement

 It described the alleged manipulation as a serious attempt to undermine public confidence in the CSSPS process and create confusion and anxiety among students, parents and guardians. 

 The statement indicated that the Ministry had referred the matter to the Cyber Security Authority and other relevant security agencies for further investigation and appropriate action.  It urged the public to exercise caution and avoid sharing unverified placement slips or claims about placement changes on social media. 

 Parents, guardians and students have also been advised to rely only on placement information obtained through official CSSPS channels. 

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the 2026 CSSPS exercise was conducted with transparency, fairness, integrity and accountability, adding that legitimate concerns regarding placement would be investigated through the appropriate channels.

Advertisement

SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS

You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.

Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending