featured

The Chief Justice, Theodora Georgina Wood, has officially today, Thursday, June 8, 2017 retired as the fourth most powerful person in Ghana after the President, Vice President and the Speaker of Parliament.

Coincidentally, today also happens to be her 70th birthday. She will be replaced by Justice Sophia Akuffo.

Georgina Theodora Wood, Ghana’s first female Chief Justice, was born in 1947 and started public service as a police prosecution officer.

A thanksgiving service was on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, held in her honour. Judicial Service Secretary, Justice Alex Poku-Acheampong, at the ceremony, expressed gratitude to all judges for their support to the outgoing chief justice.

Delivering a message on behalf of the outgoing Chief Justice at the service held at the Most Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Accra, Justice Poku-Acheampong was full of gratitude for the staff of the Judicial Service for their support.

“She has gone through turbulent times. I remember the ‘several ways of killing a cat’…I remember the Ya Na case, when so-called pressure groups raided the courts to deliver a petition; the Lord was with us because we prayed.

“I remember Anas Aremeyaw Anas petition, the Lord was with us because we prayed. So the message is that whatever leadership position you find yourself, rely on the Lord,” said Justice Poku-Acheampong.

She attended Bishop’s Girls and Methodist Schools and obtained her LLB (Hons) from the University of Ghana, Legon in 1970 after graduating from Wesley Girls High School, Cape Coast, Central Region in 1966.

She attended Ghana Law School after which she was called to the bar. She subsequently went for a six-month Post-Graduate Officers Training Course at the Ghana Police College after which she worked as a deputy superintendent and public prosecutor for three years.

She joined the Judicial Service as a District Magistrate Grade II in 1974 and was later promoted to Grade I.

She continued her service and rose through the Circuit and High Courts to become the presiding judge of the Appeal Court in 1991.

Justice Wood was first appointed to the Supreme Court by President John Agyekum Kufuor on November 12, 2003, a nomination she turned down, according to the Statesman newspaper.

She went on to become the Chairperson of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Justice Wood was again nominated for the position of Chief Justice in May 2007, and following the recommendation of the Council of State, the Parliament of Ghana approved her nomination as the new Chief Justice of Ghana by consensus on June 1, 2007.

Thereupon she became the 24th Chief Justice of the country and the first woman in the history of Ghana to head the Judiciary.

She assumed office on 15 June 2007 and is lauded as a human rights champion, playing a key role Justice for All programme.

In 2007, she received Ghana’s highest National Award, the Order of the Star of Ghana for meritorious public service and most recently was given an LLD (Honoris Causa) from the University of Ghana, Legon.

Former President John Kufuor has bemoaned the increasing number of lawless acts recorded across the country in recent months.

He explained that Ghana is a country governed by laws and thus citizens must adhere to all rules and stipulated constitutional provisions to ensure that sanity prevails.

Citing the recent cases of lynching recorded across the country, the former President condemned the acts.

He described the lynching of late Captain Mahama as disheartening and gross disrespect to the laws of the country.

“The death of Captain Mahama was a sad one and a tragic incident. He was an asset to the country but he was brutally lynched, but that’s not the only incident of lawlessness. There have been recorded cases all around the country. This is not what we want for the country, it’s a dent on our image. We need to learn to be law-abiding” he advised

Former President Kufuor appealed to Ghanaians to trust the security agencies and other bodies set up to ensure law and order.

He insisted that no citizen is above the law and must, therefore, report any offense to the relevant authorities for the law to take its course.

“We are a democratic State and so we have laws that govern us. No one is above the law, not even the president. If there is someone you identify to have gone against the laws report the person to the police and then he will be processed. If he is found guilty, the Courts will also do what is required of them. We need to trust the institutions to work” he remarked

Captain Mahama was lynched to death at Denkyira Obuasi in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region on suspicion by residents of the community after they mistook him for an armed robber.

The sad incident occurred on Monday 29th May and is expected to be buried on Friday 9th June at the military cemetery in Accra after a State burial.

The President has posthumously promoted him to the rank of a Major and donated a sum of GHC50,000 to the family.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Upper East Regional Police Command has confirmed the arrest of three persons in connection with the lynching of a 67-year-old woman accused of being a witch.

The deceased, Madam Yenboka Kenna, a widow, was killed at the Pelungu market on Monday, May 29, 2017.

The Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Vincent Redeemer, told journalists that the police could not prove whether those arrested were directly involved in the lynching, but were currently assisting the police in investigation.

He said while conducting the investigations in the village where the incident happened, some young men came in to stop a witness from giving information to the police investigation, hence were picked up.

He said the police were hopeful they could help them identify those who carried out the murder.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Tindongo, the community where the deceased hailed from, Tindong-Raan Sapana, has said that his attempts to gather more information about the crime have proven futile.

He said although the Pelungu chief had denied knowledge of the incident, he has instructed his people not to take revenge over the murder of the woman.

Tindong-Raan Sapana, however, said there was very little he could do to seek justice for the deceased, since the husband and family of the deceased have not formally informed him of the death, and what they want to be done in connection with the incident.

The family of the woman who was lynched on Monday, May 29, 2017 partly blamed the Chief of Pelungu.

According to an elder of the family, Tibil Nyaabil, this murder would have been prevented had the Chief of Pelungu, Naab Sierig Sore Sobil (IV), accommodated her in his palace until the mob had dispersed.

The debate over what has become known as mob justice has been rekindled following the gruesome murder of a military officer, who was mistaken for an armed robber.

The security agencies have vowed to deal ruthlessly with perpetrators of such crimes to ensure that the canker is entirely eliminated.

Source: todaygh.com

The Chief Justice Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood will start her retirement on Wednesday June 7, 2017 after serving a ten-year term.

She is the first woman to have occupied that position, all the chief justices Ghana have had were all males.

A thanksgiving service was done in her honour at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Accra on Tuesday June 6, 2017, which witnessed people from the clergy, politicians, lawyers and others.

Justice Sophia A.B Akuffo takes over from her.

Her Ladyship will automatically join the Council of State.

Profile:

Her Ladyship Georgina Wood (née Lutterodt) was born on 8 June 1947 in Ghana.

She had her basic education at Bishop’s Girls and Methodist Schools, Dodowa. She next attended Mmofraturo Girls School, Kumasi between 1958 and 1960. Georgina Wood’s secondary education was at Wesley Girls’ High School, Cape Coast, which she completed in 1966.

She proceeded to the University of Ghana, Legon, where she was awarded the LL.B. in 1970.

Her ladyship Georgina Wood then attended the Ghana Law School after which she was called to the bar.

She is a former police prosecution officer.

The Georgina Wood committee was set up on 4 July 2006 to investigate the disappearance from a shipping vessel MV Benjamin of 77 packets of cocaine on 26 April 2006.

It was also to investigate an alleged 200,000 dollars bribe paid to senior police officers by a lady linked to a Venezuelan drug baron, and also the 588 kg of cocaine seized at Mempeasem, East Legon from the Venezuelans.

Source: ultimatefmonline.com

Some staff of the Electricity of Ghana in the Yilo Krobo were today thrown in a state of shock after about a 3000 irate consumers from the lower Manya Krobo and Yilo stormed the premises of the company, to register their displeasure about what they describe as ‘killer’ tariffs levied them.

They also expressed displeasure about mass disconnections of meters, which most came unannounced and this according to them, has resorted in thievery and other crimes in most communities due to poor visibility at night.

The angry consumers who spoke to news men from rite fm anomalously, said they have warned the company through their respective leaders to investigate reasons for the unwarranted tariffs, however the company attached no sentiments to their plights even though the economic framework placed limits to their hard earned incomes.

At around 9am today, eye witness reports that, the consumers had converged at the Onuma view awaiting to increase their numbers to exceed the Captain smart led ‘yeegye yen sika’ demonstration in Accra.

Traffic to both commuters and the consumers had become tense after news was broke viral of, another similar demonstration which hit neighbour Akosombo last week.

Joyce Bedeley, a journalist at Rite FM who had been on the scene got the taste of it for attempting to take coverage with her phones camera.

She was humiliated and slapped at the back for trying what they called ‘abnormal cover’ why you think we are stupid! Irate consumers shouted.

Not too long, the Municipal Police Command, led by ASP Isaac Ortsin moved his men numbering about 20 to intervene.

However, news men could easily tell without much questioning that, the staff including its security men who had been trapped in needed a buffalo unit to add muscles to separate air from the crowd.

Spotted was the MP for the area, Hon. Magnus Kofi Amoatey who tried to add his voice to calm the angry consumers, however failed to gain grounds.

The MP shortly was however, not captured in camera as nothing could calm the consumers down even though the police tried to resist them entering the main office.

After a tense tussle, the consumers tried to break into the offices, but the police threatened to open tear gas and use shockers.

After a separation, the masses backed up forces to now apply stones and wailing of machetes to keep anyone away from resisting them.

At this point, they started flying pebbles into glasses of structures breaking portions of the security post, and the main building.

A driver of the official police vehicle after sensing danger, forcibly moved the police car hastily and this leaving no one injured is by divine intervention of God.

Many has described the sharp tariffs as not befitting the people in the Krobo enclave especially, those in the Lower Manya Municipality who by the construction of the Volta lake has had a heavy toll on their socio – economic lives.

‘We the people of Krobo don’t deserve to pay bills, and even if we must do, have to do or pay considerably’ some chanted as they wailed placards bearing, we are tired of this!, Nana must act now, this is our land and more!

This amidst the flying of pebbles lasted for about an hour causing traffic between the tycoon, memorial bars and the main lorry station.

Commuters on vehicles were seen to be taking coverages from their phones, even though they prayed to pass safely without any humiliation.

In a development, five military men were deployed to assist the police to calm the situation, however before their arrival protestors had dispersed leaving the police and onlookers who sought to see when staff come out of the building.

Wife of a staff of ECG,who was at the scene to check on his husband was spotted praying for unhurt escape of his husband and other workers.

ASP Isaac Ortsin however declined to speak on the matter, on note that it could affect investigations.

Even though, the Municipal Commander could not speak to us, news team from Rite FM disclosed that, the group obtained no official notice.

The Police and the military men however around 5pm, guaranteed a safe step out of staff who profusely looked sweating under intense heat, after power supply cut for almost two hours.

Safety of the company and its staff now lingered on the Somanya Police as, protesting consumers have threatened, ‘ this was just the beginning!.

As if things were over, it took another turn of events when some of the consumers around 5pm besieged the premises of Rite FM.

According to them, some comments had been aired on ‘Okwanso Anigye’ drive show which was been hosted by Sly Ziggy, and those comments supposedly slaps an unworthy blame on some names allegedly, to have been mentioned on air to be masterminds of the demonstration which had ended into a revolutionary war zone.

The Police on hearing the sharp turn to the station, quickly deployed men to prevent any stranger from unlawful entry of the stations promises.

ASP Isaac Ortsin therefore cautioned on air presenters of the station to be circumspect on how the issues are deliberated on air.

This according to him will help the Police conduct investigations into the matter.

He has however assured that, the matter was under control with a plead for all stakeholders in the matter to seek redress lawfully.

More Pictures Below

Story By: Krobea Asante Tofepa Ntomentwene

Source: www.ritefmonline.org

Veteran actor Akwesi Boadi, popularly known as Akrobeto, has rubbished claims that Kumawood movies are mostly brimful of insults.

He noted with resentment that, Kumawood movies are a true reflection of the Ghanaian society of which insults are a part.

For some time now, movies produced by local language practitioners, particularly Twi, have come under a lot flak and public scrutiny for their incessant use of offensive words.

Some critics and industry professionals have called for a system to control and curb the development before it gets out of hand.

But Akrobeto doesn’t agree.

Speaking in an interview on Personality Profile on Drive Time on Joy FM with Lexis Bill, the actor noted that Kumawood movies only portray happenings in Ghanaian society.

He said “movie, is all about acting” and the things that happen around us are the same things that go into movies.

He observed that even a child, who does not watch movies, learns to utter insults first when he or she tries to speak.

The veteran actor stressed that they don’t just insult “but we are teaching you something.”

Akrobeto faulted practitioners who are into the English movies for trying to use the insults tag to “pull them down” but they did not succeed.

Asked if the practitioners in the English movie space respect them, he said there is a general societal problem where people who don’t have any formal education are looked down upon.

He cautioned against looking down on people who do not have formal education because, some of these people are very smart and own some big businesses in the country.

The ‘Owuo Nti’ was quick to deny rumours that some Kumawood producers ask for sex or sleep with female actors before they give them roles to play in movies.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

Self acclaimed Dancehall king, Shatta Wale has said he will no more grant interviews to radio and TV stations unless he is paid.

His decision, according to him is to prevent these media outlets from twisting stories about him.

The ‘Taking Over’ hitmaker mentioned that the radio and TV stations in Ghana did not contribute to his rise and that he will not need them.

In a post on Facebook, he said: “Will not grant any interview to any TV or Radio station unless they ready to pay me cash????????if all they’ll do is end up twisting stories….After all none never helped in my rise..DJ Lord dash and DJ Mctontoh were my only street DJ’s who helped..”

Shatta Wale this week was on GHOne TV where he made several revelations and pleas including his dire desire to join the VGMA next year.

Source: mynewsgh.com

English Premier League sides West Ham United and Southampton are interested in signing Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah, according to reports Italy.

The 28-year-old, whose contract with Juve runs until 2018, has made 23 appearances in all competitions for the Italian champions this season, creating two goals.

Asamoah has been linked with a move away from Juventus this summer, with Turkish giants Galatasaray lurking with interest.

And now, according to Calciomercato, the Ghana international is also wanted by Premier League duo West Ham and Southampton.

However, this is not the first time English clubs have come calling, with Chelsea linked with a move for the midfielder earlier this season.

Juventus resisted Chelsea’s advances, but will fi

Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

Former President John Dramani Mahama appears to be brooding in his absence in government following what appears to be mass dismissal of persons employed under his government.

The current administration has sacked and forced out some key government appointees and laid off some workers it said the Mahama-led administration employed without following due process.

But the former president had to defend the integrity of his administration lambasting the New Patriotic Party government of indulging in “unacceptable” dismissal of workers.

“Bad precedents for our governance. Mass sacking of workers by the NPP govt unacceptable. #OneGhana #OnePeople”, Mr. Mahama tweeted Friday evening.

The tweet however did not say exactly which groups of people have been laid off by the government.

Whether employed by his government or whichever government, each citizens deserves a right to be employed, he indicated in another which followed the first one, minutes later.

“These workers are all citizens and like all Ghanaians have rights, which must be protected. #OneGhana #OnePeople”, he said.

Source: 3news.com

Deputy Minister of Sports Pius Hadzide has revealed that the Sports ministry will honour the Black Starlets in the new National Center for Sports Tourism in Cape Coast if they manage to win the U-17 AFCON in Gabon.

Ghana qualified for the final for the first time since 2005 after a 6-5 penalty shootout win over Niger after the game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes.

The Starlets have been in scintillating form throughout the tournament and take on holders Mali in the final on Sunday for a chance to end Ghana’s 18 year wait for the title.

Addressing the team during his visit to their base in Port Gentil, Pius Hadzide urged the team to do the nation proud by claiming the trophy on Sunday.

“The country today is a trophy hungry country and we haven’t won a trophy in a long while.”

“We are yearning to see and hold a trophy so we are begging you to do us proud and bring us a trophy.”

“The instructions of the Minister is that when you are able to do this you will be the first young national heroes whose names and pictures will be embossed in the National Center for Sports Tourism which we have just opened in Cape Coast,” he said.

The Black Starlets have scored the most goals in the tournament with 9 and are still yet to concede.