Starlets Soar Higher after beating Brazil 1-0 in U:17

68 Police Officers Fired

Sixty eight police officers have been dismissed from the Police Service so far this year for gross misconduct. These include 10 dismissals in August alone. The acting Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, Samuel Kwesi Ofori, disclosed this to the Times yesterday after the Inspector General of Police had held an emergency meeting with officers of the Police Motor Traffic Transport Unit.Gross misconduct is breaking the rules or not following the laid down regulations.The August dismissals include two senior officers, Superintendent Osei Assibey Ahenkan, Akropong, Divisional Commander and Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Anane Boye Tetteh, Akosombo District Commander. The two officers, as well as Constables Bright Odoi Nkansah and Raphael Batsa, were alleged to have intercepted two cars loaded with contraband cigarettes at the Atimpoku Toll Bridge but failed to forward the car carrying the goods to the Police Headquarters.The six others alleged to have deserted their post and gone to Axim to escort cocaine allegedly dumped there by dealers. They are: General Constables Dennis Agyemang, Mensah Gray, Gideon Sakabitu George Obuobi and Lance Corporals Daniel Kagya and Ebenezer Quao Afachao. General Constable Daniel Mensah who was alleged to be part of the team that went to Axim was acquitted and discharged because it was found that he was genuinely on leave and also, no weapon was found on him whereas his colleges went there with weapons. Quoting the IGP, he said that the Police Administration will not shelve or compromise on any personnel or officer who will fall foul against the regulations of the Service.In recent times, the Police Service has come under serious criticism from the public over the misconduct of some officers and he said if not checked such actions will dent the image and reputation of the service. He said last year, a total of 66 Police officers as against 49 in 2005 and 12 in 2004, respectively were dismissed from the service for gross misconduct which included extortion, bribery and abuse of human rights including assault. DSP Ofori noted that the Police Administration has taken a serious look at the behaviours, operations and activities of personnel of the service saying that “the Police Administration will leave no stone unturned in the discharge of its duties.”Touching on the IGP’s meetings with the personnel of the Police MTTU, he said the Police administration will deal ruthlessly with any personnel of that unit who engages in unlawful practices. He spoke about complaints from drivers about tactics used by some policemen to force them to offer them bribes. These include the removal or collection of roadworthy stickers’ vehicle licences and insurance stickers. DSP Ofori said the IGP has charged officers to relay messages to their subordinates to desist from such acts and warned drivers to also desist from giving money to policemen when they are arrested.
Source:Ghanaian Times

Akuffo-Addo spends $4000 on live broadcast

Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, is spending US $4000 on his live broadcast on the networks of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).In an unprecedented media blitz by a flagbearership aspirant in the history of party politics in Ghana, Nana Akuffo-Addo will be doing a live broadcast to the whole country on all the about 10 radio stations of the national broadcaster.

Even though his campaign team have refused to say how much the broadcast would cost the former Foreign Minister, Joy News has learnt that the cost is to the tune of some US $4000.He is expected to tell Ghanaians why he wants to be president.The event will be broadcast later on television.Three other candidates, Alan Kyeremanteng, Dr. Addo Kufuor and Prof. Mike Ocquaye are also expected to hold media events to publicize their presidential plans.

60% of old currency notes replaced - BoG

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) on Monday said 60 per cent of the old currency had been withdrawn from circulation and replaced with the new currency.Dr Paul Acquah, Governor of the Central Bank, answering questions from the media during a briefing of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in Accra after its deliberations last week, said at the start of the exercise in July, about 9.1 trillion cedis was withdrawn and replaced with 5.45 trillion Ghana Cedis.

"This leaves an outstanding of about 3.6 trillion cedis yet to be replaced," he added.It is expected that the outstanding old currency would be completely withdrawn by December, 2007, the date set for the end of the main redenomination exercise.The BoG embarked on the redenomination exercise in July 2007 to reduce the burden of accounting and cutting the risk of carrying large sums of physical cash.Dr Acquah also announced that the Central Bank had divested its interest in the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to the Financial Investment Trust, a body that takes into custody government shares for onward investment either to the public or a strategic investor.

Therefore in principle, the divestiture has taken place and the Central Bank has moved on with the process," he explained. He said the idea was to ensure that the BoG, as the regulator of the banking industry, was not seen as a player as well.Dr Acquah said the issue of divestiture and/or acquisition of any Bank by another had to do with the services that the Bank had to offer. Asked what the response should be for the ADB situation, Dr Acquah said: "Whatever action would be taken should be done with the focus that the agricultural sector will be enhanced and the agricultural focus should be maintained in the Bank."Any bank or institution that buys into ADB and dilutes the original intent of the Bank should not be entertained.

"Our main focus as a regulator is to ensure that a real financial industry is developed in the country. Any new Bank that comes into Ghana should be an internationally active Bank as a major criterion and we would consider a Bank with this kind of reputation."Merchant Bank Ghana Limited, Robo Bank of Netherlands and Stanbic Bank of South Africa have expressed interest in taking up the 48 per cent shares that the BoG is disposing of in ADB. Dr Acquah said if the right thing was done within a competitive atmosphere shareholders would have value for money with guaranteed quality service.
Source:GNA