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Controller and Accountant General ‘swerves’ PAC after parliamentary primary defeat
Mr. Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, the Controller and Accountant General, on Monday, January 29, opted to avoid facing the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) following his recent defeat in the parliamentary primary.
Scheduled to appear before the Committee on Monday to address pertinent questions, Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem was notably absent when proceedings started.
Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei Asare, informed PAC Chairman, James Klutse Avedzi, that the Controller and Accountant General was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
Despite this explanation, the committee demanded Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem’s presence and insisted he shows up to address certain critical questions.
The Controller and Accountant General sent his three deputies as representatives but that was rejected by some members of the committee.
However, the PAC Chairman, James Klutse Avedzi, made a decisive ruling that the committee should proceed with the hearing.
Mr. Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem had his hopes of being an MP dashed on Saturday as he lost the Akim Swedru parliamentary primary.
He secured 94 votes against the incumbent MP Kennedy Osei, who had 194, whereas Okyere Jerome Kwame polled 10.
The race in the constituency became topical after the Controller and Accountant General declared his intention to contest the seat.
While he enjoyed some backing and endorsement from high-profile personalities, politicians, religious leaders, and civil society organizations, others also kicked against his decision, calling for his resignation or removal from office.
The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) Ghana demanded his immediate removal from office for allegedly breaching the Civil Service Act, PNDC Law 327.
The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, on January 10, 2024, filed a lawsuit against Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
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
