ELECTION PETITION: PETITIONER FILES TO REOPEN CASE

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February 12, 2021

The petitioner in the election petition case, John Dramani Mahama, has filed a motion at the Supreme Court for leave to reopen his case.

His lawyers had closed his case in anticipation of the respondents putting their witnesses forth for cross-examination.

But that never happened as the respondents also closed their case and prayed the court not to adduce evidence.

The petitioner objected to this application but the court on Thursday, February 11, 2021, ruled that it cannot compel the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission to take the witness box.

The ruling also applied to the second respondent, Nana Akufo-Addo who was expected to present Peter Mac Manu as his witness.

Documents sighted by Citi News indicates that the petitioner will subpoena the EC Chairperson to testify if the application is granted.

The application will be heard on Monday, February 15, 2021.

Meanwhile, one of the lawyers for the petitioners, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong has said that her side will put in a subpoena application to get the EC Chair, Jean Mensa to testify in the witness box.

“We disagree [with the ruling]. It is as simple as that. We have nothing to do about the decision of the court but accept it, and so we are going to file for an application for review. Counsel for the petitioner has announced that he will file a review of today’s decision of the court. You heard the Lordships, they said no one can stop us from filing an application”, she noted during a post-trial press conference.

Justifying why the EC Chair must mount the witness box, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong reiterated the numerous occasions where the Commission has refused to provide information thereby questioning the transparency and accountability of the electoral management body.

“The Chairperson in the past has said she will be available for cross-examination. We have an EC who when a request for interrogatories was served on her in the past, she refused to respond. The EC has to be accountable to us and tell us how she made those errors. There are questions we have to put to her [Jean Mensa] that no one can answer. She alone can answer”, Madam Appiah-Oppong added.

SC ORDERS PARTIES TO FILE CLOSING STATEMENT

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The Genius Bright

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February 11, 2021

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The Supreme Court has ordered lawyers for the parties in the Election Petition case to file their closing statements by close of day Wednesday 17, 2021.

This directive was announced by the Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah in court on Thursday, February 11, 2021.

Anin-Yeboah in making the orders asked the counsel to file the addresses simultaneously.

“By court, per the ruling just read, the respective cases of the 1st and 2nd respondents are deemed closed.”

“This court hereby orders that the parties herein shall simultaneously file their respective closing addresses on or before Wednesday, February 17, 2021. The petition is hereby adjourned to Thursday, February 18, 2021, for counsel in this petition to highlight on the written addresses or submissions so far for the petition to be adjourned for judgement,” he said.

THE EC CHAIR CANNOT BE FORCED TO TESTIFY – SC

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The Genius Bright

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February 11, 2021

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The Supreme Court has in a unanimous decision ruled that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa and Peter Mac Manu cannot be forced to testify in the Election Petition case.

The apex court made the ruling on Thursday, February 11, 2021, on the back of an application filed by lead counsel for the Electoral Commission, Justine Amenuvor and that of President Akufo-Addo, Akoto Ampaw, asking for permission not to call any witness.

Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah who read the ruling said there were not convinced by the contrary arguments made by Tsatsu Tsikata, lead counsel for the petitioner.

He also said they were given a limited jurisdiction in the Election Petition case and that they do not intend to go beyond that jurisdiction.

They insisted that the evidence put forth by the petitioner, John Dramani Mahama does not meet the burden of proof thereby making it unnecessary to put a witness for a counter case.

Mr. Amenovor relied on Order 36 Order sub-rule 4 and 38, rule 3 (e) sub-rule 1 and 5 of CI 47 as amended by CI 87 as the basis for their decision to close their case and not call a witness.

By that application he (Mr. Amenovor) suggested that other parties can treat the witness statement by the EC Chair as a “hearsay”.

Likewise, lead counsel for President Nana Akufo-Addo, Akoto Ampaw also announced that the New Patriotic Party’s 2020 Campaign Manager, Peter Mac Manu would not be taking the witness box for cross-examination.

Mr. Ampaw argued that the petitioner has not been able to make a solid case in court hence the decision to close their case.

He further insisted that the petitioner “should rather be happy since his petition would be ruled on by his own evidence.”

But the lead counsel for the petitioner, Tsatsu Tsikata, disagreed.

Mr. Tsikata thus accused Mrs. Mensa of evading cross-examination.

He insisted that Mrs. Jean Mensa has signed to a witness statement and affidavits thereby constituting an election to adduced evidence

WIFE OF PRESIDENT’S COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR FILES FOR DIVORCE

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The Genius Bright

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February 11, 2021

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Wife of Eugene Arhin, the Communications Director at the Presidency, has filed a suit at the Matrimonial Division of the Accra High Court against him for, among others, committing adultery.

Gloria Assan Arhin filed the suit on Wednesday, February 10.

In her statement of writ sighted by livingavenuegh.com, the marriage hit the rocks shortly after Mr Arhin’s appointment as Director of Communications at the Office of the President despite them having had three children since 2012.

“The Respondent shortly after his appointment as the Director of Communications started behaving in very unusual ways towards the Petitioner and the Children and continued on this path until the relationship between the parties deteriorated completely.

“The marriage between the parties has for the past about four (4) years suffered irreparable damage and setbacks and all efforts by the parties and their families at amicable resolution have all failed.”

The writ said Mr Arhin has on several occasions informed his lawfully wedded wife that he is no longer interested in marriage, having even moved out of their residence.

“That the Respondent has committed and keeps committing adultery, deserted the Petitioner and behaved unreasonable towards the Petitioner and by reason of the said treatment and conducts of the Respondent, the marriage has broken down beyond reconciliation and all attempts aimed at resolving the challenges have proven futile.”

According to Mrs Arhin, the “unreasonable behaviour” by Mr Arhin involves him abusing her “both physically and verbally at the slightest opportunity for over a year now”.

She also indicated that the adultery involves one Chantel Kudjawu and he “has a child of about a year old with another woman”.

GHANAIAN NURSES ARE IN GREAT DEMAND INTERNATIONALLY – HEALTH MINISTER DESIGNATE

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The Genius Bright

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February 11, 2021

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Minister-designate of Health, Kweku Agyeman-Manu, has revealed that a lot of Western countries among others, are chasing Ghana for nurses.

The Health Minister in President Nana Akufo-Addo’s first term made the revelation during his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Wednesday, 10 February 2021 after a member of the committee, Mr James Agalga, demanded to know why Ghana, despite not having enough health professionals, exported some nurses to Trinidad & Tobago as well as Barbados.

“I will say bilateral relations for diplomacy, just like we receive Chinese and other foreigners, I believe our President stretched his hand to also help our neighbours who needed some support. That is the significant thing”, Mr Agyeman-Manu mentioned as the primary reason.

According to him, Ghana “took inventory of the types of nurses they needed and we said to ourselves: ‘we can let go some quantity that will not harm the system that we have”.

Secondly, he said, “the ministry itself, in our new HR policy, we are thinking of retraining some of our young people to even export them to help run the facilities and the type of human resource that we have”.

“We have close to 90 health training institutions that churn out 22,000 young people as nurses, certificate and diploma students. We have to employ them into our system. If we continue that way for the next five years, our hospitals may be full with nurses that we don’t need”, he warned.

“As I sit her, when we were talking about doctor: patient ratio, we didn’t talk about nurse: patient ratio. We have exceeded the WHO limits. Then, I ask myself: can Finance Ministry continue to provide financial clearance? Can the budget soak it for the numbers that we train? So, if we are talking about Ghana Beyond Aid, why don’t we retrain and meet the demands of those outside so that we can probably support some of them to go and work outside and bring home foreign currency?”

“It’s one of the things we are trying to test to see how viable that can be, which is the reason why we tried to stretch our hands to Barbados. And there are demands; immediately we finished the Barbados thing, Jamaica, Germany, The Netherlands, UK; all of them are even coming but we’ve held back because of the fear that we may deplete our resources unnecessarily until we train and retrain and we get larger numbers that will make us export without causing any serious harm to our system”, he told the committee

FUNNY FACE BRUTALIZED BY POLICE

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The Genius Bright

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February 10, 2021

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Actor Funny Face has taken to social media to express his displeasure at how police in Kasoa treated him during his arrest on Monday.

Taking to Instagram, he revealed that he was manhandled by the police during his arrest and then again at the police cells before he was remanded.

Funny Face, who broke down crying during his video post, said he was beaten with handcuffs and dragged on the floor at the Police Station.

He also alleged that he was beaten at the police cells where he stayed from Monday to Tuesday when he was bailed at around 3:00 pm.

“So I’ve been bailed out. I slept at the police cell yesterday…Now I’m an ex-convict. But the most painful and saddest truth I’m about to reveal is about Ghana Police.

“When they came to arrest me on a highway…It’s not been easy for me. The moment I got down they crossed me! The way the beat me on Monday,” he said emotionally.

Comparing himself to great men like Nelson Mandela and the J.J. Rawlings, Funny Face believes this is a testimony to his greatness and asked his fans to look out for what comes next.

“You know what, Nelson Mandela slept in prison before, J.J. Rawlings slept in prison before. All great men slept in prison before. Watch out for Funny Face to become great,” he said pounding on his bare chest.

Comedian Funny Face was, on Monday, arrested by the police in Kasoa for unlawfully discharging a firearm at a drinking pub.

Speaking to JoyNews’ Richard Kojo Nyarko, the Central Regional Police PRO, DSP Irene Serwaa Oppong said the actor had gone to the bar where a misunderstanding ensued between him and the owner.

JoyNews/AdomNews · Funny Face arrested
Although the two were separated, Funny Face went home, returned with a gun and fired warning shots, she revealed.

She explained that the team had struggled to cuff the actor because he had resisted arrest.

Meanwhile, Funny Face has shared a video of his arrest where the police were seen pulling him by the shirt to their vehicle.

The actor said he is currently focused on fighting for himself, his children and his baby mama Vanessa.

PARLIAMENT SUSPENDS SITTING FOR THREE WEEKS DUE TO COVID-19

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The Genius Bright

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February 10, 2021

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Ghana’s Parliament is closing down for three weeks.

This follows the confirmation of more COVID-19 cases in the House.

Reports indicated that at least 17 Members of Parliament and over 150 staff have tested positive for the virus.

The House is expected to resume business on March 2, 2021 according to a communication with the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.

Meanwhile, the Appointments Committee will be allowed to vet ministerial nominees beginning Wednesday, February 10, 2021.

The Speaker, Alban Bagbin had earlier announced on Thursday, February 4, 2021, that “only members of Parliament and members of staff who are needed for the business of the House on those days will be allowed in the precincts of Parliament from next week.”

This was at a time when some 15 MPs and about 50 parliamentary staff had tested positive for COVID-19.

For the infected MPs, Mr. Bagbin said “all the 15 members have been contacted and advised to self-isolate. They have also been given prescriptions to facilitate their recovery.”

Again, he indicated that the House would work only on Tuesdays and Thursdays as a way of curbing spread of the virus.

Calls for shutdown
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak last week called for the shutdown of Parliament for at least two weeks over the outbreak of the virus in the House.

According to him, the COVID-19 positive MPs are not known and some still attend the business of the house which endangers the rest of them.

“15 MPs and 56 staff of parliament have tested positive for COVID-19. The best option is to shut down Parliament. We don’t know the IDs of those positive, who still attended Parliament. Shut down Parliament, all MPs and staff, self-isolate. Get us tested after 14 days, then we resume if negative,” he said in a Facebook post.

AKUFO-ADDO APPOINTS NEW NATIONAL SECURITY CHIEF

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The Genius Bright

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February 10, 2021

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The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has appointed Major General Francis Adu Amanfo (Rtd) as the new National Security Coordinator.

Major Gen. Adu Amanfo replaces Joshua Kyeremeh who died a few weeks ago due to reported complications of Coronavirus.

The new National Security Coordinator was in 2006 appointed by former President John Agyekum Kufuor as Ghana’s Ambassador to Liberia.

Before his Ambassadorial position, Major Gen. Adu Amanfo was Head of Defence Intelligence in the Ghana Armed Forces.

The President has also appointed Edward Kwaku Asomani as the Deputy National Security Coordinator.

Edward Kwaku Asomani
Until his appointment, Kwaku Asomani was the Deputy Executive Director of the Danquah Institute.

The appointments take immediate effect.

ISAAC DOGBE DROPS FATHER AS N

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The Genius Bright

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February 10, 2021

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Citi Sports Online
Isaac Dogboe drops father as manager; but father isn’t happy
Fentuo Tahiru by Fentuo Tahiru February 9, 2021 Reading Time: 2min read

Former WBO Super Bantamweight Champion, Isaac Dogboe, has ditched father, Paul Dogboe as his manager and trainer.

The “Royal Storm” Dogboe, who has been working his way back to world title contention after losing and failing to recapture his crown from Mexican Emmanuel Navarrete, has revealed he is proceeding without his father, who helped him win his first world title in 2018.

“Right now I’m self-managed, no more managed by my dad, a lot happened over the years and since I took control I said to myself, It’s time to restructure and rebuild some of the bridges that were broken,” he told Gh One TV.

“A lot of people are putting our situation in a negative light. The only thing happening between my father and me is that he’s no more training and managing me and I don’t see anything negative about that”, he said

“I informed him of my decision to want to be in charge and everything is fine, I hold my family in very high esteem. I believe if there’s any problem between myself and my father, I believe he can call and sit me down as a son and talk to me.”

The 26 year old added: “My father has done a great job. He deserves all the praise.”
“He’s nurtured me from the beginning and if he wasn’t part of my life, Isaac Dogboe won’t be Isaac Dogboe.”

Meanwhile, Paul Dogboe reacting to the decision of his son to part ways with him on Starr FM claimed he had no issues with Isaac Dogboe except with the way he went about the situation.

“I’m not angry that Isaac said I can’t manage him anymore but the way he went about it upset me a little bit, he just sent me a text one day informing of his decision,” he said.

“I asked myself, what if I spent all my time and money with him and had nothing, he’d have screwed me over with this decision”

“The decision he took is not a bad idea but he has to find his footing. He has to make sure he makes it. It’s a challenge to him but I don’t think he’s going to fail. He can’t fail,” Paul added.

“Isaac Dogboe will do well because he’s got everything. The foundation is good so if he does things well, he’s going to excel and I wish him well”

With Paul Dogboe as trainer and manager, Isaac Dogboe claimed the WBO Super Bantamweight title in an 11th round TKO victory over Jessie Magdaleno in April 2018 and successfully defended it four months later against Japanese boxer Hidenori Otake.

But he lost it four months later in December 2018, succumbing to a Unanimous Decision loss to Navarrete and then failed to recapture from the same boxer in April 2019, suffering a 12th round TKO defeat.

Dogboe’s last fight was in July 2020 when he knocked out Chris Avalos in the 12th round of a non-title fight.

He has since been training in Ghana.

FORMER NDC DEPUTY SECRETARY SUSPENDED

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The Genius Bright

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February 9, 2021

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The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has suspended Samuel Koku Anyidoho from the party with immediate effect.

Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the General Secretary of the party in a letter on Monday said at a meeting on January 20, this year, the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) considered two separate petitions from two members.

He explained that two petitioners lodged an official complaint against his former deputy “which is viewed in breach of the party’s disciplinary code for its members as contained in the NDC constitution.”

Mr Mobarak Abdul-Karim (who is the Oti Regional Communication Officer), and Eric Adjei (Bono Regional Deputy Communication Officer) brought a case against the Chief Executive Officer of the Atta Mills Institute.

According to the chief scribe, after it deliberated on the petition, they took a decision in accordance with Articles 46(1), 46(6) and 46(8)(b) of the party’s constitution.

Subsequently, it has suspended Mr Koku Anyidoho membership with immediate effect and will refer the petitions to the party’s disciplinary committee for further action

Living Avenue

ELECTION PETITION: PETITIONER FILES TO REOPEN CASE

SC ORDERS PARTIES TO FILE CLOSING STATEMENT

THE EC CHAIR CANNOT BE FORCED TO TESTIFY – SC

WIFE OF PRESIDENT’S COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR FILES FOR DIVORCE

GHANAIAN NURSES ARE IN GREAT DEMAND INTERNATIONALLY – HEALTH MINISTER DESIGNATE

FUNNY FACE BRUTALIZED BY POLICE

PARLIAMENT SUSPENDS SITTING FOR THREE WEEKS DUE TO COVID-19

AKUFO-ADDO APPOINTS NEW NATIONAL SECURITY CHIEF

ISAAC DOGBE DROPS FATHER AS N

FORMER NDC DEPUTY SECRETARY SUSPENDED

VIRTUALLY IMPAIRED MAN GRADUATES FROM UCC

ACTOR AND POLITICIAN JOHN DUMELO GRADUATES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

NATO CHIEF URGES US TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

THE UK GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO BAN DISPOSABLE VAPES DUE TO CHILDREN’S HEALTH

VIRTUALLY IMPAIRED MAN GRADUATES FROM UCC

ACTOR AND POLITICIAN JOHN DUMELO GRADUATES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

NATO CHIEF URGES US TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

THE UK GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO BAN DISPOSABLE VAPES DUE TO CHILDREN’S HEALTH