Hot!
Vice President Bawumia Makes Historic Visit To Vatican, Strengthening Diplomatic Ties
Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on Wednesday (April 24,2024) visited the Vatican, where he was warmly received by Pope Francis as part of his working visit to the Republic of Italy and the Vatican State.
This landmark meeting underscores Ghana’s commitment to strengthening ties with the global community and fostering diplomatic relations on an international scale.
The historic encounter took place in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, where Dr. Bawumia had the distinct honour of meeting with Pope Francis. Accompanied by the Second Lady Hajia Samira Bawumia and other government officials, Dr. Bawumia’s visit to the Vatican symbolised Ghana’s dedication to engaging with global leaders on matters of mutual importance.
During their meeting, discussions between Dr. Bawumia and Pope Francis centered on strengthening diplomatic relations between Ghana and the Vatican.
The discussions were cordial, cementing the positive relations between the Holy See and Ghana.
Key areas of focus during the meeting included the political and socio-economic landscape of Ghana, with particular attention given to collaboration in fields such as education and healthcare. These discussions underscored Ghana’s commitment to advancing its socio-economic development and fostering partnerships with international stakeholders to achieve common goals.
In addition to meeting with Pope Francis, Dr. Bawumia also engaged in talks with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations. Their discussions further cemented the strong ties between Ghana and the Vatican and explored avenues for cooperation on various issues of mutual interest.
One notable aspect of the discussions was the exchange of views on current international issues, particularly focusing on security challenges facing West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
Vice president Bawumia is expected to return to Ghana on Thursday, 25 April 2024.
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
