This week has seen a couple of strike actions across several sectors as it’s typically experienced during election years. Similarly, Richard Jakpa, the second accused in the ambulance trial, continues to strike the image and dignity of Godfred Dame in court with wild allegations.
The lackadaisical approach of the Ghana government towards the Global Fund drug supply puts us at risk of being banned – invariably affecting patients in dire need.
Justice Botwe Admits Audio Evidence; Richard Jakpa Reveals Godfred Dame’s Target, but Guess Where the Meeting Was Held?
Justice Asare-Botwe of the High Court came under heavy backlash last week [June 10] when she dismissed the mistrial application brought forth by the first accused in the ambulance case, Ato Forson. Many, including a learned colleague, Martin Kpebu critiqued her decision as rushed and contravened the natural law of justice.
This week, the justice has, however, admitted into evidence the recorded conversation between Attorney-General Godfred Dame and the third accused person in the ambulance purchase trial Richard Jakpa.
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Right after the admission of the audio evidence, the third accused, Richard Jakpa made some damning revelations. According to him, Godfred Dame assured him that his primary target was the first accused who doubles as the minority leader in parliament, Ato Forson.
Meetings with AG and the involvement of Supreme Court judge Justice Yonny Kulendi – Plot Twist?
The alleged audio, now evidence and the assurance of letting Richard Jakpa off the hook were interestingly plotted at the house of a Justice of the Supreme Court, who also happens to be a cousin of Richard Jakpa.
The Justice in question was appointed by the current president of the nation, Nana Akufo-Addo in 2020. The Justice, Yonny Kulendi whose house served as the haven of conspiracy together with the Attorney General, Godfred Dame are said to be the proteges of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
TB, and HIV Patients Risk Losing Medication Support but the Minority in Parliament and CCM are Bent on Preventing that
In April 2024, shortly after news broke that multiple container supply of medications was stuck at the port due to tax waiver issues, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced it had secured the tax waivers to enable it to clear the drugs after months of delay.
The $45 Million worth of drugs stuck at the port paint a sharp negative picture of Ghana’s priorities when it comes to health and subsequently how that mars our relationship with the Global Fund.
But the minority in Parliament, led by Member of Parliament for Juaboso, Mintah Akandoh has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government of Ghana to clear the drugs at the port
In addition, the Ghana Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the Global Fund and its social partners are set to hit the streets of Accra with a public demonstration barring any development in the days ahead.
According to them, the demonstration is to protest the government’s handling of health commodities donated by foreign partners to the good people of Ghana at the Tema harbour.
TEWU, CETAG Embark on Industrial Actions but NIA Staff Get Appeased
But for the intervention of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), staff of the National Identification Authority would have still been on strike protesting poor condition of services.
The strike action took effect from Monday, June 10, 2024, across the district and regional offices of the authority.
However, on June 13 2024, the strike was called off pending negotiations with FWSC and a reported intervention from the Minister of National Security, advice from the mother union, and public outcry.
Two other unions have also announced strike actions should the government fail to meet their needs.
The Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH), the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), and the Technical University Workers Association, Ghana (TUWAG) announced their intention to embark on a strike citing the discriminatory implementation of the newly approved Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and other related allowances by the government.
They demanded the payment of Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and related allowances that have traditionally been payable to all eligible categories of staff within public universities, with no discrimination.
Additionally, the College of Education Teachers Association of Ghana also announced a strike action for non-payment of their one-month salary bonus to each member for extra duties performed in 2022 and the application of agreed-upon allowance rates, currently enjoyed by public universities.
Shatta Wale Blames Stonebwoy for no Show but the Latter Denies any Involvement
When news came about that Shatta Wale’s performance at the University of Ghana’s TF Hostel had been cancelled, many wondered why.
But the self-acclaimed dance hall king in Ghana already had answers. He laid the blame on the doorsteps of his industry colleague, Stonebwoy, citing him as orchestrating the abrupt cancellation of his performance with the help of the Dean of Student Affairs at the University.
But Stonebwoy has denied it vehemently. In an interview on Asaase Radio’s breakfast show on Wednesday, Stonebwoy claimed he had no involvement whatsoever in Shatta Wale’s annulled performance.
Additionally, the Dean of Students at the University of Ghana, Professor Rosina Kyeremanteng, has also commented on the controversy surrounding Shatta Wale’s cancelled performance, at the Reunion Rave Artistes Night event, hosted by Wave Africa and TF Hostel.
She denied rumours that Shatta Wale’s performance was cancelled due to the University’s issues with the dancehall artiste, stating that the University has no problems with Shatta Wale.
