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AMA, Guadalajara sign MOU to promote cultural and commercial ties
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Guadalajara the capital state of Jalisco in western Mexico, to promote cultural and commercial ties between the two cities.
The Chief Executive Officer of AMA, Mrs Elizabeth K. T Sackey, signed on behalf of the Assembly last week Wednesday at a brief ceremony held at the Accra City Hall.
The Director of International Relations and Migrant Attention, Mrs Lilian Rizk Rodrigues, also signed on behalf of the Municipality of Guadalajara.
Mrs Sackey said the friendship between the two cities was the beginning of the collaboration in the areas of arts, culture, tourism, trade, investment and education.
She was hopeful that Guadalajara and Accra would embark on impactful projects to the benefit of its people, stressing that the MOU would impact Ghana and Mexico positively.
“This agreement is the beginning of collaboration in the areas of Arts, Culture, Tourism, Trade, and Investment, Education among others. Indeed, this relationship we are cultivating will go a long way to benefit the citizens and residents of our two cities.
The relationship between Accra and Guadalajara is a testament to the bilateral cooperation that has existed for years between Ghana and Mexico and continues to thrive,” she said.
Mrs. Lilian Rizk Rodrigues, described the union as historic feet for the two cities, citing the agreement as the first of its kind to be signed with an African city.
“We are very excited about the world of possibilities that opens with the signing of this twinning agreement, which we are convinced will translate into multiple benefits for the inhabitants of both cities and will be an example to the international community,” she said.
The Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Mexico in Ghana, Arturo Salazar was hopeful the agreement would go a long way to foster unity and bring development between the city of Accra and Guadalajara.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, has expressed deep sorrow following the sudden passing of Isaac Batsa, the constituency secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker issued a statement on Tuesday reacting to the news, which has shocked the local political community.
Mr.Awuku praised the late NDC secretary for his bipartisan approach to local governance.
He noted that despite their different political affiliations, Batsa consistently rose above party lines to serve the constituency with diligence.
The MP revealed that the news was particularly shocking given that he had last interacted with Batsa just three days prior on Saturday.
Concluding his statement, Sammy Awuku extended his heartfelt condolences to Batsa’s family, the constituency and regional executives, and the entire NDC fraternity, wishing the deceased peaceful eternal rest.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
