News
Court remands auto mechanic for defiling 12-yr-old girl
A 25-year-old auto mechanic has been remanded into police custody by the Ejisu District Court for defiling a 12-year-old girl at Domeabra in Ejisu of Ashanti Region.
Joseph Sarkodie has been charged with defilement, but his plea was not taken during his first appearance at the court presided over by Mr Kwaku Baah Frempong on Monday May 18, 2020.
The suspect would reappear before the court on June 1, 2020.
Presenting the facts of the case, the prosecutor, Police Chief Inspector Emmanuel Appiah Kubi, told the court that, the victim (name withheld) on May 10, 2020, at about 7:30 pm was commuting from her elder sister’s house to her home in the Domeabra vicinity where she met Sarkodie.
According to prosecution, Sarkodie offered to escort the victim to her home, but was surprisingly lured into an uncompleted building and forced her to have sexual intercourse through her anus.
The victim immediately after the incident reported to her elder sister who led her to report to the Domestic Violence Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ejisu Police Station.
The court heard that, the victim was issued with a police medical report form to be taken to any government hospital for examination to be conducted on her, and the victim was taken to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Hospital.
According to Chief Inspector Appiah Kubi, the medical form which was duly endorsed by a medical officer was brought to DOVVSU and it confirmed that the victim’s hymen was broken, whitish discharge was found in the private part, fecal matter found at the anus, among other findings.
DOVVSU, upon receiving the medical report, arrested Sarkodie and detained him at the Ejisu Police Station, where his caution statement was taken, and he admitted to the crime of inserting his penis into the victim’s anus, but denied having sexual intercourse with her.
FROM FAUSTINA KWABEA OSEI, KUMASI
News
Government Pays GH¢9.7 Billion Coupon Under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP)
The Government of Ghana has paid GH¢9.7 billion as part of its debt obligations under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said the payment amounted to GH¢9,698,815,220.17.
This brings the total payments made under the programme this year alone to GH¢19.4 billion.
According to the minister in a facebook post, the payment shows government’s commitment to honouring agreements made under the DDEP and is expected to boost investor confidence in the economy.
He stated that government has also created two sinking fund accounts one in cedis and another in US dollars to help manage future debt payments.
These funds, introduced he said is in line with the 2025 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review and backed by the Public Financial Management Act, meant to ensure that upcoming loan obligations due between 2026 and 2028 are paid on time.
The Finance Minister assured investors and the public that all future debt commitments, including those under the DDEP, will be fully honoured without delays.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
President Mahama appoints Biadela Mortey Akpadzi chairman of the Ghana Gold Board Tribunal
President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Mr. Biadela Mortey Akpadzi as chairman of the newly inaugurated Ghana Gold Board Tribunal.
The appointment is in line with Section 55 of the Ghana Gold Board Act, which provides for the establishment of the Tribunal to strengthen governance and accountability in the gold sector.
The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on Tuesday inaugurated the Tribunal, which also includes Ms. Hamidu Mariam and Mr. Justin Pwavra Teriwajah as members.
The finance minister congratulated the appointees and assured them that government would soon appoint a Registrar and provide staff to support the effective functioning of the Tribunal.
The Tribunal will consider appeals on decisions made by the Gold Board, particularly matters relating to licensing and rulings of the Dispute Resolution Committee.
By: Jacob Aggrey
