Hot!
EC to meet political parties over 2024 election date change proposal
The Electoral Commission (EC) will today, Monday, January 29, meet the various political parties at its Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting to continue deliberations on its proposal for the change of date for the general elections.
The EC has proposed moving the date for both Presidential and Parliamentary elections from December 7 to November 7.
The Opposition National Democratic Congress has, however, stated their opposition to the proposal arguing that it doesn’t give the EC enough time to organize an event-free poll.
On the other hand, sources within the New Patriotic Party indicate that the party’s hierarchy is still pondering over the matter to reach a decision.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress has rescinded its decision to boycott meetings of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC).
The party made this known in a statement dated Sunday, January 28, 2024, signed by its General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
IPAC meetings are aimed at allowing the various political parties to review election-related activities and policies, officially air their grievances and make constructive inputs.
It also serves as an advisory body to the Electoral Commission.
The leadership of the NDC boycotted IPAC meetings in 2021, citing the “lack of candour, odious duplicity, and open bias that the Jean Mensah-led Electoral Commission displayed in favour of the New Patriotic Party in the conduct of the 2020 general elections.”
In its recent statement, the NDC said it has rescinded the decision after “enhanced consensus-building.”
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
