Search Results for “ECG assault ” – Adomonline.com https://www.adomonline.com Your comprehensive news portal Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:21:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.adomonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cropped-Adomonline140-32x32.png Search Results for “ECG assault ” – Adomonline.com https://www.adomonline.com 32 32 Swedru School of Business apologises over viral assault video https://www.adomonline.com/swedru-school-of-business-apologises-over-viral-assault-video/ Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:21:35 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2635052 Swedru School of Business (SWEBUS) has issued an unreserved apology following a viral video that captured an assault involving some of its students and a student of Obrachire Senior High School.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Management, Staff and Students of the school addressed what it described as “the recent incident captured in a video circulating on social media,” which shows an attack involving students from both institutions.

The school said it was deeply concerned about the development.

“We are deeply disturbed by this unfortunate incident,” the statement noted.

Management emphasised that the conduct displayed in the video does not reflect the values of the institution.

“The behaviour exhibited is unacceptable and does not represent the principles, discipline and standards upheld by Swedru School of Business,” the statement said.

It further stated that the actions captured in the footage violate the school’s Code of Conduct and the regulations of the Ghana Education Service (GES).

“As an institution committed to academic excellence, character development and responsible citizenship, we unequivocally condemn this act,” the statement stressed. “We do not tolerate violence or any behaviour that compromises the safety, dignity and well-being of others.”

The school extended what it described as an unqualified apology to key stakeholders, including the GES Headquarters, the Central Regional Directorate of Education, the Agona West Municipal Directorate of Education, alumni, the management, staff and students of Obrachire Senior High School, the affected student and family, parents, and the general public.

Management disclosed that it is cooperating fully with security and law enforcement agencies, adding that the students involved are currently with the authorities assisting investigations.

“We assure the public that appropriate disciplinary measures will be enforced in line with the outcome of ongoing investigations,” the statement added.

Beyond sanctions, the school pledged to reinforce its internal systems to prevent similar occurrences. It said efforts would be intensified in guidance and counselling, discipline enforcement and character education to promote respect, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among students.

Management also appealed for calm, urging the public to allow due process to take its course.

The statement concluded by reaffirming the school’s commitment to providing a safe, disciplined and supportive environment conducive to learning and mutual respect.

ECG outlines key factors driving higher electricity consumption

Planned maintenance not ‘dumsor’ – ECG assures public

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Police arrest three individuals in Ahafo Region for possessing illegal firearms https://www.adomonline.com/police-arrest-three-individuals-in-ahafo-region-for-possessing-illegal-firearms/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:59:22 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2634409 The Ahafo Regional Police Command has arrested three individuals on the Ayomso-Goaso road for allegedly possessing firearms unlawfully.

During a press briefing in Goaso, the Ahafo Regional Police Commander, DCOP James Annor, stated that on February 26, police apprehended 26-year-old Johnson Mawutor and 22-year-old Kelvin Ofori while they were riding an unregistered motorbike on the Goaso-Ayomso road.

According to DCOP Annor, the suspects attempted to evade arrest by turning off the bike’s headlight, abandoning it, and fleeing on foot. The police pursued them and successfully made the arrest. A search of the suspects led to the discovery of an AK-47 rifle and 29 bullets.

He further revealed that the suspects were taken to Abrodanho in Goaso, where additional firearms and ammunition, including pistols, were recovered. The police have since prepared the necessary documentation for the suspects to appear in court.

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Asaman Tamfoe DCE not involved in galamsey – Chief Kwame Koh responds https://www.adomonline.com/asaman-tamfoe-dce-not-involved-in-galamsey-chief-kwame-koh-responds/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:45:11 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2611254 The Chief of Asaman Tamfoe in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region, Osabarima Kwame Koh, has dismissed allegations linking the District Chief Executive (DCE), Ernest Owusu Ntim, to illegal mining activities.

His comments follow a ruling by the Koforidua High Court 2, which fined the Atiwa East DCE GH¢12,000 for contempt of court in an ongoing case related to illegal mining on protected land.

Speaking to the media, Osabarima Kwame Koh described claims that the DCE is involved in galamsey as false and misleading. He said the allegations were made by a known illegal mining kingpin from Ankaase and should be seen as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the DCE’s image and undermine his efforts to combat galamsey in the district.

The Chief further alleged that the accuser, identified as Daniel Ansah, also known as Abeiku, has forcefully taken over approximately 7,000 acres of land belonging to the Asaman Tamfoe traditional area and local farmers.

According to Osabarima Kwame Koh, the alleged illegal miner has hired land guards who have reportedly assaulted youths and farmers, creating fear and insecurity in the community.

He has therefore appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to intervene, protect residents, and restore peace in the area.

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Tariff hikes will kill businesses and the 24-Hour Economy – Food and Beverages Association https://www.adomonline.com/tariff-hikes-will-kill-businesses-and-the-24-hour-economy-food-and-beverages-association/ Mon, 15 Sep 2025 06:07:13 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2578410 The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) says the proposed upward review of electricity tariffs by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) will cripple businesses, trigger job losses, and derail government’s 24-hour economy policy.

In a strongly worded statement, the Association described the planned increases as “a recipe for disaster.” It said the business sector, especially food and beverages, is already in distress.

“Though food is a necessity, sales in the Food and Beverages sector has dropped by 70% in recent times. Businesses are really struggling, and their woes appear to be exacerbated by the recent depreciation of the Ghanaian cedi.”

FABAG argued that higher tariffs will directly assault Ghanaian households.

“Tariff increase will hit Ghanaian families where it hurts most — their daily survival. For low and middle-income households, electricity and water bills already consume a large share of disposable income. Any further increase will force families to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table.”

The Association warned of worsening energy poverty. “Energy poverty will worsen, pushing vulnerable groups, especially women-led households and rural poor, deeper into hardship.”

It questioned whether inefficiency in the power sector should continue to be transferred to citizens.

“Should inefficiencies in the Utility sector be continuously paid for by the struggling Ghanaian mother selling bread at dawn, or the nurse keeping a clinic running at night, or even the owner of a small-scale business struggling to make ends meet?”

FABAG said tariff hikes will ignite inflationary shocks across the economy. “Upward adjustment of Utilities, especially ECG tariffs, combined with the current depreciation of the cedi, will serve as a major inflationary wildfire.

“It must be noted that Utilities are the foundation of the cost structure of food, transport, and housing, which are Ghana’s inflation drivers. An upward adjustment of tariffs will fuel a fresh round of price hikes for bread, kenkey, water, and beverages.”

The group stressed that the outcome would be widespread hardship. “Cold store operators and small restaurants will pass costs onto consumers. Transporters will raise fares as fuel depots and garages factor in higher utility bills.

“The outcome will be serious inflationary shocks across the economy that will punish ordinary Ghanaians and force tighter monetary policy, further slowing growth.”

The Association further argued that businesses cannot withstand another blow. “Utility tariff hikes, especially ECG, will wipe out the current thin margins of SMEs and trigger layoffs and factory downsizing. Indeed, any tariff adjustment upwards will seriously put jobs and enterprises on the line.”

FABAG accused ECG of inefficiency. “The attitude of most of the ECG staff is nothing to write home about.

Most workers have literally privatised their desks and remain unconcerned in the face of non-functional prepaid meters. We can’t continue to encourage alarming inefficiency in energy by adjusting tariffs upwards.”

The Association also warned that Ghana’s competitiveness under AfCFTA is at stake. “Upward adjustment of Utility tariffs will put Ghana’s competitiveness at further risk.

“Higher production costs make Ghanaian products uncompetitive compared to imports from countries with cheaper energy. This will undermine AfCFTA opportunities, discourage investment, and slow down Ghana’s industrialisation drive, especially the 24-hour economy.”

FABAG demanded reforms and accountability. “Every tariff increase not matched by efficiency gains is a direct attack on jobs, livelihoods, and Ghana’s industrial base.

“We demand Performance-Linked Tariffs. The Utilities must first reduce system losses, improve collections, change the attitude of staff and cut waste before passing costs to consumers.”

The Association insisted that poor and vulnerable households must be protected. “There must be protection for the Poor, SMEs and indeed the private sector, which is the engine of growth for the economy.

“The PURC must expand lifeline bands for genuine low-income users as well as design support measures for players in food and beverage sector.”

FABAG concluded that Ghanaians should not be punished for inefficiency.

“Ghanaians cannot continue to pay for inefficiency. Every cedi lost to poor collections, outdated infrastructure, and system leakages should not be transferred to the pockets of hardworking citizens and struggling businesses. A tariff increase without accountability is not reform — it is punishment.

“We urge PURC to put the people first — phase adjustments, demand efficiency, protect the poor, and support Ghanaian businesses. That is the only way to balance cost recovery with economic survival.”

SourceAbubakar Ibrahim  

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I pray NPP remains divided – Volta NDC Chairman https://www.adomonline.com/i-pray-npp-remains-divided-volta-ndc-chairman/ Mon, 21 Jul 2025 16:46:36 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2558075

The Volta Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mawutor Agbavitor, has sparked controversy with a bold statement following the recent National Delegates Conference of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Speaking in an interview with Adom News, the outspoken NDC chairman declared that he “wishes and prays” the NPP remains divided ahead of the 2028 general elections.

According to Mawutor Agbavitor, the internal cracks and power struggles observed within the NPP during their delegates conference are a “blessing in disguise” for the NDC and the people of Ghana.

He explained that a disunited NPP poses less threat to the NDC’s electoral fortunes and provides Ghanaians with a clear alternative to what he described as “years of mismanagement and hardship” under the current government.

“Hmmm… as for the NPP, they are just playing and making a mockery of themselves. The first thing I would advise them to do is learn how to live together. That is a party torn into stress. Even when it comes to doing the right thing, they can’t. I’m not here to advise them, but I wish and pray that the NPP will continue to be disunited. In fact, I pray that they remain disunited to the point where they can’t even come together to ask anyone to vote for them. That is my prayer for the NPP. I don’t wish them well, I don’t wish them to survive, and I don’t wish them success in returning to power,” he said.

When asked why he harbours such sentiments, Mr. Agbavitor replied:

“Aaah, why should I wish them well when their Ashanti Regional Chairman alone can walk into Exim Bank and take several millions of cedis to splurge on fancy cars? The same chairman goes and destroys our forests and water bodies, and you expect me to allow this party to return to power and destroy the country again? We have children, and the future of this country is critical. Look at the corruption everywhere — at COCOBOD, GNPC, and all state institutions. I don’t wish the NPP well,” he alleged.

He also responded to recent remarks by the Member of Parliament for Effutu and Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference in Accra accused the NDC government of worsening the living conditions of Ghanaians.

Afenyo-Markin cited rising fuel prices, unfulfilled campaign promises, and failed efforts to curb illegal mining as evidence of “glaring betrayal” by the current administration.

“Their pledge to end galamsey has crashed into chaos. The president calls it a national emergency, yet refuses to declare a state of emergency,” Afenyo-Markin said, accusing the government of paying lip service to the fight against illegal mining.

He also condemned what he described as coordinated attacks on Ghana’s judiciary.

“They have vowed to reset our nation, but it has become a brazen assault on our judiciary, starting with the shameful vilification of our Chief Justice,” he said.

He further alleged that the NDC is scheming to divert Ghana’s mineral wealth to party cronies and accused the party of orchestrating violence in the recent Ablekuma North by-election rerun.

“Worst of all was the questionable Ablekuma North rerun, where NDC-affiliated thugs attacked our candidate Nana Akua Afriyie and former MP Hawa Koomson,” he said.

“The message is clear: the NDC is a failure, and Ghana deserves better,” Afenyo-Markin added.

In response, Mawutor Agbavitor dismissed the Effutu MP’s claims, describing him as a man “hungry for attention and popularity” within the NPP.

“Afenyo-Markin knows what he’s doing. He’s good at lies and wants to become popular — probably to be considered as a presidential candidate for their party. He knows that what he’s saying is not the truth,” Agbavitor asserted.

He further alleged: “He should go and answer questions at ECG where issues were raised during his tenure as Board Chairman. Beyond that, he is always shouting in Parliament just so people will hear his voice — and that is exactly what he is doing.”

Source: Odehyeba Owusu Job

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Ashie Moore sets records straight on alleged $2.2m fraud https://www.adomonline.com/ashie-moore-sets-records-straight-on-alleged-2-2m-fraud/ Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:49:13 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2550042 The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, has denied reports of an alleged $2.2 million fraud involving Singaporean national Toh You Kang.

A statement issued by his lawyer, Gideon Tettey Tetteh, stated that Mr. Moore has not received any payment of $800,000 from Mr. Kang, dismissing the claims as falsehoods.

“Allegations that Mr. Moore solicited funds from Mr. Kang for political purposes, particularly in connection with the 2024 NDC campaign, are patently false.

“Fundraising efforts for the campaign were conducted transparently by the ‘Monitor and Win’ committee to boost grassroots participation and reward hardworking party members,” the statement said.

It added that the former Adentan MP is, in fact, a victim of a massive fraud allegedly perpetrated by Mr. Kang, who has been on remand for the past five weeks.

According to the statement, Ashie Moore and his business partners filed a complaint with the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, accusing Mr. Kang of defrauding them of about $3 million under false pretences.

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is also reportedly investigating separate claims that Mr. Kang stole an additional $2.8 million from the group.

The statement further denied allegations that Mr. Moore extorted money, seized Mr. Kang’s passport, or assaulted him—describing such claims as baseless and defamatory.

Meanwhile, Mr. Moore’s legal team has petitioned the Attorney General to take over the case, citing the magnitude of the matter as beyond the remit of the police.

Source: Adomonline.com

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Read the full statement below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 1st July 2025
Accra – Ghana

RE: RESPONSE TO PROF. KWEKU AZAR ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MR. EMMANUEL NII ASHIE MOORE — CALL FOR CALM AND RESPECT FOR LEGAL PROCESS.

The attention of Mr. Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore and his legal team has been drawn to a series of unfounded allegations circulating in sections of the media and public discourse, purporting to suggest misconduct, extortion, political abuse of state institutions, and human rights violations in connection with an ongoing criminal matter involving Mr. Toh You Kang, a Singaporean national.

We wish to unequivocally state the following:

1. Background to the Matter.- RCID/AR CASE R/O NO: 222/2025

In May 2025, Mr. Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore lodged a formal complaint with the Greater Accra Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service against Mr. Toh You Kang, citing defrauding by false pretence. Following preliminary investigations, Mr. Kang was remanded in lawful custody and has remained on remand for the past five weeks.

Subsequently, a related complaint of stealing was filed with the Economic and Commercial Crime Office. Owing to the complexity and magnitude of the alleged fraud totaling over USD 5.8 million both dockets were recommended for consolidation and referred to the Attorney General’s Department for legal advice and prosecutorial determination.

This process was carried out in accordance with the laws of Ghana, devoid of interference or political influence.

2. Response to Key Allegations

a. No Receipt of USD 800,000 for ECG Contracts:
Mr. Moore never received $800,000 from Mr. Toh You Kang for purposes of securing contracts from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). Rather, Mr. Kang misrepresented himself as a legitimate investor and defrauded Mr. Moore and his business partners.

b. No Coercion for Political Contributions:
Allegations that Mr. Moore solicited funds from Mr. Kang for political purposes, particularly in connection with the 2024 NDC campaign, are patently false. Fundraising efforts for the campaign were conducted transparently by ‘Monitor and Win’ committee to boost grassroots participation and reward hardworking party members.

c. No False Invitation or Assault:
Mr. Kang is a regular visitor to Ghana and was lawfully arrested based on the criminal complaint. There is no evidence of assault, extortion, or coercion during or after his arrest.

d. Legal Representation and Human Rights:
At all times, Mr. Kang has had access to multiple lawyers, has not been denied communication with family(and with his Mobile phone whilst in Police custody), and has been treated in full compliance with Ghanaian law and human rights standards.

e. False Image Circulation Claims:
Accusations that Mr. Moore circulated semi-nude images of Mr. Kang to extort his family are entirely false, malicious, and defamatory. Mr. Kang has been in lawful police custody throughout.

3. Institutional Integrity and the Rule of Law

As a senior political figure and respected entrepreneur, Mr. Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore has demonstrated unwavering trust in Ghana’s legal institutions by submitting himself to due process and refraining from any self-help or political manipulation. He believes firmly that justice must be served through independent, lawful, and transparent mechanisms.

Ghana’s law enforcement agencies, including the Police and the Economic and Commercial Crime Office(CID), have handled this matter with professionalism, neutrality, and respect for legal thresholds. The Attorney General’s Department, the constitutionally mandated authority, now has carriage of the matter, and we await their considered advice and direction.

4. Political Neutrality and Investment Climate

Mr. Moore(a successful entrepreneur and politician)remains committed to safeguarding Ghana’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for genuine foreign investment. However, our institutions must not be used as sanctuaries for individuals who exploit diplomatic, commercial, or political goodwill to perpetrate financial crimes.

Allegations of political interference or state abuse serve only to undermine public confidence in our democracy and institutions, and we urge the public to treat such narratives with the skepticism they deserve.

5. Call for Calm and Due Process

No individual is above the law, and equally, no individual should be vilified or defamed without evidence. The matter involving Mr. Toh You Kang is now within the lawful domain of the Attorney General’s Department, and we call on all well-meaning Ghanaians to respect the process and refrain from politicizing what is clearly a commercial and criminal dispute.

6. Conclusion

We reiterate that, in Ghana, no individual is above the law, nor is any person beneath its protection. As officers of the court and custodians of our democracy, we urge the public and the media to uphold the sanctity of due process, resist sensationalism, and allow justice to take its natural course.

Let truth prevail, and let the institutions of our Republic function without interference or distortion. We remain confident that justice will be served.

***

Signed,
Gideon Tettey Tetteh, Esq.
Legal Counsel to Mr. Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore
+233 249 659 467

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Afenyo-Markin alleges bullying and intimidation against NPP MPs https://www.adomonline.com/afenyo-markin-alleges-bullying-and-intimidation-against-npp-mps/ Mon, 03 Feb 2025 12:53:00 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2500099 The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has expressed concerns about the safety of New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs, alleging that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Majority has been using bullying and intimidation tactics against them.

Speaking to the press on Monday, February 3, Afenyo-Markin stated, “We’ve been cooperative, but they’re bullies. They intimidate us, and if we don’t stand strong, they’ll continue to bully us, and we won’t allow that.”

He cited a recent incident where the Appointments Committee initially agreed to vet three nominees, but the NDC pushed for additional nominees, bringing the total to five.

Afenyo-Markin further alleged that the NDC has deployed “foot soldiers” to intimidate NPP MPs, including cases of physical assault.

“We’ve brought this to the attention of Parliament Police, and we’re taking steps to beef up our security,” he announced. “The attacks are becoming too frequent, and we don’t feel safe.”

He also defended the actions of NPP MPs during their protest on Thursday night, stressing that they remained law-abiding and did not engage in any destruction of public property. He urged critics to review footage of the incident.

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Millions of dollars spent on Accra streetlighting project but roads remain dark at night https://www.adomonline.com/millions-of-dollars-spent-on-accra-streetlighting-project-but-roads-remain-dark-at-night/ Wed, 04 Dec 2024 11:54:38 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2479022 Between 2020 and 2021, the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) spent $15.8 million on a Streetlighting Replacement Project that was supposed to illuminate the roads, highways and streets of the national capital, Accra.

Despite the expenditure of millions of US dollars, most of the streets, roads and highways in the national capital remain dark at night, endangering the lives of motorists and pedestrians.

In response to a Right to Information request by The Fourth Estate, MiDA said the project was to cover a total of 523.46 kilometres spanning 20 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater Accra region.

MiDA’s response indicated that “The Project involved the replacement of High Pressure Sodium and Mercury lamps with highly efficient LED on selected Streets in Accra, thereby reducing energy consumption on the Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) network and also improving illumination on the selected Streets.”

It added that “in all,14,969 luminaires were installed”.

Tetteh Quarshie Roundabout

In addition, in 2022, the Ministry of Energy took a little over GHS3.3 million from Ghana’s oil revenue to pay Prefos Limited, an electrical company, for the provision of streetlighting infrastructure (the light poles, electrical cables and light fixtures) on the Accra-Tema Motorway, according to the 2022 Public Interest and Accountability Committee annual report.

Yet, anyone who drives on the motorway at night will testify to the darkness that pervades Ghana’s most popular highways because of the absence of streetlights.

For three nights, from October 27 to 29, 2023 and 2024, The Fourth Estate visited several major roads and streets in 13 MMDAs in which MiDA implemented its Streetlighting Replacement Project.

Achimota-Amasaman Road

The Fourth Estate team drove on the George Walker Bush Highway, the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange, the Liberation Road, the Accra-Tema Motorway, and the Black Star Square among many others.

The team found that although there were street light poles on most of these streets, most of them delivered no lighting.

MiDA and the Ministry of Roads and Highways did not respond to questions The Fourth Estate sent them about the Streetlighting Replacement Project.

The Fourth Estate spoke to several motorists and residents in Accra, who confirmed that the lack of functioning streetlights on many roads in the city endangered their lives and those of pedestrians.

Accra-Tema Toll booth – Motorway

Edward Kyei-Baffour, a driver with an online ride hailing platform, often works at night. He tells The Fourth Estate that because of poor visibility, drivers often knock down pedestrians at night.

“When you reach a location where streetlights don’t work and the pedestrian is not wearing a reflective cloth, you will accidentally knock them down,” he says. He believes that poor visibility is a major cause of frequent knockdowns at night.

“Recently, at Akweteyman, a colleague driver knocked down two ladies around 9pm,” he said. “They were on the N1 Highway. Because of lack of visibility, and the fact that the stretch is also dark, and the clothes of the ladies were not reflective, mistakenly, he knocked them down.”

Ofankor-Barrier-Nsawam Road

Kyei-Baffour says the dimly lit roads force most drivers to always turn on their headlights. But because some cars have stronger headlights than others, they blind other drivers on the road, causing havoc.

Michael Kwaku Agamah, another driver with an online ride hailing platform, told The Fourth Estate that he took the advice of a mechanic who told him to buy a stronger headlight to improve his visibility while driving at night.

“My headlight is 100 watts. Before, it was 70 watts,” he says. “Somebody who does not have 100 watts but has 70 watts will crash in potholes and will burst his tyre.”

Mr Agamah lamented that when drivers get caught up in traffic in areas where there are no streetlights, they are often attacked by armed robbers.

That was the fate of Sophia Odoley Sagoe. On July 29, 2024, she was accosted by two men while walking home from work on the Teshie Link Road. She says the men left her stranded after they forcibly took her phone and bag.

“The place was very quiet and dark. If there was light on that stretch, I don’t think they could have done what they did,” she says.

In an interview with The Fourth Estate, the Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority, David Osafo Adonteng, said street lighting should be a basic necessity for motorists and residents in Accra.

“Night crashes happen to be very significant in our road crashes,” he says. “If you go on the N1, between Tetteh Quarshie and Lapaz, people are driving into disabled vehicles because they are unable to see ahead of them.”

According to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s Road Safety Reports (2019 to 2022), the pattern of crashes in the city shows that more people are killed following crashes that occur between 6pm and 10pm.

Atomic-Haatso Road – Infront of Kwabenya Police Station

“This pattern can partially be explained by poor visibility and high vehicular speeds at that time of day,” the 2022 report noted.

Poor leadership is to blame

According to Mr Adonten, the cause of the perennial challenges with streetlighting in Accra stems from a lack of leadership by the Ministry of Energy.

He said the ministry has some responsibility in providing and maintaining streetlights.

He said a recent stakeholder engagement organised by the NRSA showed that the “Ministry of Energy appears not to be on top of the situation.”

He also pointed out that the institutions responsible for ensuring the city is well-illuminated are not collaborating.

“They are not coordinating and so responsibility has become very difficult as to who is responsible exactly within the space where we are to provide streetlights,” Mr Adonteng says.

The Fourth Estate wrote to the Ministry of Energy for comment. Although the ministry responded that it would respond in “due time,” it is yet to do so – more than six weeks after our request.

According to LI 1961, the MMDAs are to collaborate with the ECG to ensure the provision of streetlights. But a 2011 draft policy on streetlighting by the Ministry of Energy underscores that the MMDAs “lack the financial and technical resources to provide and maintain the service”.

MiDA’s Streetlighting Project was to fill this gap and ensure that the streets and roads in the capital are illuminated at night. But the lack of maintenance appears to be the major reason why many parts of the city remain dark.

Black Star Square – 28 February road

“As to who maintains [streetlights, it has] become a big question for all of us,” Mr Adonten told The Fourth Estate.

“For example, if you go on the Accra-Tema Motorway, you would find the installation done but within a few years, then some are broken, some of the lights are not working and some cables have been stolen. And so, it renders the entire stretch of the motorway so dark.”

When The Fourth Estate drove on the Accra-Tema Motorway on Monday, October 28, 2024, there was not a single functioning streetlight on the stretch. And the people crossing the highway were nearly invisible.

The Managing Director of Prefos Limited, the company the Ministry of Energy paid over three million cedis to for the provision of streetlight infrastructure on the Accra-Tema Motorway, declined to respond to questions by The Fourth Estate.

“We are not obliged to do any interview with any media house,” the Prefos MD, Wendy Agyeman said. “We work with the ministry. If you need any information, you can go to the ministry.”

Decentralise streetlight administration

Mr Adonten says the best way forward is for the government to resource the MMDAs to provide and maintain streetlights in the country.

“It will help the communities. If the capacity is not there, it’s a matter of us building their capacities,” he said.

The Estate Officer of the Adenta Municipal Assembly, Raymond Aboagye, affirmed that the assemblies lack the resources and expertise to adequately provide and maintain streetlights.

He said the assembly struggles to maintain streetlights mounted on metallic poles. Unlike the wooden poles that the assembly’s electrician can climb, he said they lack the equipment to repair those on metallic poles.

“They use cranes to repair them, and the assembly doesn’t have a crane,” he said. “So, we have to get a crane from a private company like Prefos. We have a lot of [the metalic poles] in this area. And it’s expensive to repair them.”

Although he admitted that the assemblies should visit the communities often to ascertain the state of the streetlights, he said this is nearly impossible as he is the only person at the assembly in charge of maintaining streetlights.

“Adenta is a very big community and I’m the Estate Officer, just one person. I would not be able to identify all the areas that is dark,” he said.

Mr Aboagye claimed he collaborates well with the assembly members to keep the streetlights on. But the Assemblyman for the Ogbojo Electoral Area, Elvis Ofosu Mensah said there is a big challenge with the maintenance of streetlights.

Main Kaneshie Road

“I can take you to my electoral area where streetlights are still hanging there. They don’t need to be changed; they just need to be maintained,” Mr Mensah says. “But where do you get the funds to maintain them?”

The Director of Safety Campaign Ghana, Damoah Emmanuel Nyarkoh, told The Fourth Estate that budget constraints and a lack of routine maintenance have resulted in the vast stretches of poorly lit streets and highways in Accra.

“Theft of cables and light fixtures have significantly affected the functionality of streetlights,” he said. “Poorly lit areas are breeding grounds for criminal activities, including thefts and assaults. Residents and commuters feel unsafe, which affects their overall well-being and restricts nighttime mobility.”

Mr Damoah emphasised the need for year-round maintenance, engaging local communities to report non-functioning streetlights and the installation of surveillance cameras to deter vandalism and theft of streetlight infrastructure.

He recommended that there should be stricter penalties for individuals who steal streetlight infrastructure.

Mr Adonteng of the NRSA said it’s disappointing that Ghana is struggling to maintain streetlights six decades after independence.

“More than 60 years after independence, we are unable to light our cities,” he says. “I think it is not the best and we should make a conscious effort to get there.”

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NDC will no longer tolerate intimidation in Kyebi – Asiedu Nketia warns https://www.adomonline.com/ndc-will-no-longer-tolerate-intimidation-in-kyebi-asiedu-nketia-warns/ Tue, 03 Sep 2024 19:27:09 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2443595 The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has issued a strong warning that the party will no longer tolerate any form of intimidation against its supporters in Kyebi in the Abuakwa South constituency.

Addressing voters in Akyem Adukrom in Abuakwa South on Monday, September 2, as part of his “retail campaign” tour of the Eastern Region, Asiedu Nketia highlighted the various forms of attacks and intimidation the NDC has endured during and after elections in the area in previous polls, describing these actions as undemocratic and contrary to the legacy of J.B. Danquah, a key figure in Ghana’s multi-party democracy.

He cited specific incidents, including the burning of the NDC constituency office in Kyebi in 1996 and the assault on party agents during elections.

Mr. Asiedu Nketia questioned the commitment to democratic principles in J.B. Danquah’s hometown, suggesting that the multi-party democracy Danquah championed is not being upheld.

He vowed that the NDC would no longer accept intimidation in the constituency and warned that the party would take all necessary measures to protect its interests.

The NDC Chairman also disputed the notion that Abuakwa South is a stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), pointing out that both the NDC and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) have won the seat before.

Earlier, at Begoro Zongo in the Fanteakwa North constituency, Mr. Asiedu Nketia criticized the Ministry for Inner Cities and Zongo Development, along with the Zongo Development Fund, labeling them as deceptive initiatives aimed at misleading Zongo communities.

Source: Kofi Siaw

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Police officer allegedly shoots driver’s mate at Danchira https://www.adomonline.com/police-officer-allegedly-shoots-drivers-mate-at-danchira/ Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:28:28 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2427257 A driver’s mate is in critical condition after allegedly being shot by a Police officer at a checkpoint in Danchira in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

The incident occurred when Corporal Franklin Forson fired at the victim without provocation at a Police snap checkpoint opposite the Danchira police station.

Isaac Okyere, the driver of a Kia truck with registration number GE 9643 who witnessed the incident said he was stopped at the checkpoint on Saturday evening after delivering electrometers to an ECG subcontracted company in Oblogo, Weija Gbawe Municipality.

After answering questions asked by a Community Police Assistant, he began to drive away when Corporal Forson suddenly fired into the empty bucket of the truck.

The bullets from the assault rifle penetrated the cabin, severely injuring the driver’s mate, who was then rushed to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital for treatment.

Okyere, the traumatised driver, is calling for an independent inquiry and justice for the victim.

While senior officers at the Danchira Police station have declined to comment officially, sources indicate that, the incident is being treated as an accident.

The Police officer who fired the shot has been asked to pay the medical bills of the victim.

Meanwhile, the matter is currently under investigation by the Police Intelligence and Professional Standard Bureau (PIPS).

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Police investigate death of 24-year-old woman found dead in pool https://www.adomonline.com/police-investigate-death-of-24-year-old-woman-found-dead-in-pool/ Thu, 11 Jul 2024 13:09:24 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2420877 The Ghana Police Service has launched an investigation into the tragic death of 24-year-old Lois Abena Koranteng, who was discovered unconscious in a swimming pool at a hotel in Takoradi on 8th June 2024.

According to reports, Ms Koranteng was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The Police visited both the scene and the hospital where the body was inspected.

Preliminary investigations have however revealed no signs of assault.

An autopsy conducted at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on the same day, in the presence of the deceased’s family, identified the cause of death as asphyxia, severe pulmonary edema, and drowning in a pool.

In response to concerns raised by the family regarding the Police’s initial engagement, the Inspector-General of Police, on 10th July 2024, personally reached out to the family to apologize for any lapses in communication.

He assured them of the ongoing investigation’s progress and offered to meet them at their convenience to provide updates.

The Ghana Police Service remains committed to collaborating closely with the family throughout the investigation.

Read the statement below:

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Damongo: The dark capital https://www.adomonline.com/damongo-the-dark-capital/ Mon, 27 May 2024 14:47:19 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2400469 Damongo, the capital of Ghana’s Savannah Region, has been enveloped in darkness, earning it the ominous nickname “The Dark Capital.”

That raises concerns about the safety and well-being of the town’s residents, as well as the overall development of the region. The issue of non-functioning street lights within the municipality is a pressing concern.

Major thoroughfares such as the Canteen and, the Dass stretches and the Damongo-Sawla stretches are completely in darkness posing significant risk to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

According to statistics from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), inadequate street lighting contributes to over 30 per cent of road crashes in Ghana. This staggering figure underscores the need for intervention to address this critical road safety issue.

The solution to the problem lies squarely with the Damongo Municipal Assembly, the local government authority tasked with the maintenance and sustainability of the street lights.

However, the local authorities have been negligent in their duties, hence leaving the town in darkness. The consequences of this neglect are far-reaching. The lack of functioning street lights not only disrupts the daily lives of commuters, but also creates an environment conducive to criminal activities such as theft, assault and vandalism.

This, in turn, leads to a pervasive sense of insecurity among the residents, deterring them from venturing out at night and negatively impacting social and economic activities. To address this, a coordinated effort involving the Ministry of Roads and Highways, local authorities and utility companies is required.

The Damongo Municipal Assembly must prioritise regular maintenance and prompt repair of the street lights ensuring that the funds collected from the street lighting levy are used for their intended purpose.

Furthermore, the implementation of a comprehensive monitoring system to identify and address non-functioning lights, as well as the exploration of sustainable solutions such as solar-powered street lights through collaboration with businesses and energy companies could provide a long-term solution to this problem.

The darkness that has beset Damongo is not just an inconvenience; it represents a significant threat to the safety and well-being of the town’s residents. The local authorities must take immediate action to rectify this situation and restore the town’s rightful place as a vibrant and secure community.

Failure to do so will only perpetuate the “Dark Capital” moniker and hinder the overall development of the Savannah Region.

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Social Media users blast ECG for celebrating MD’s leadership amid ‘dumsor’ https://www.adomonline.com/social-media-users-blast-ecg-for-celebrating-mds-leadership-amid-dumsor/ Tue, 14 May 2024 15:17:01 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2394486 What seemed like a harmless post on the official Facebook page of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to celebrate the leadership qualities of its Managing Director, Samuel Dubik Mahama for the past two years, has irked Ghanaians obviously unhappy about the current power challenges.

The ECG post was on the occasion of Mr Mahama’s 2nd-year anniversary at the company since he took up the role.

In the post on Tuesday, May 14, the company highlighted Mr Mahama’s efforts in revamping ECG’s PowerApp, making it more user-friendly and accessible, resulting in a surge of active users.

The distribution company further said Mr Mahama has made significant strides in addressing meter request backlogs through its Loss Reduction Project (LRP) by injecting 275,000 meters into the system and improving efficiency.

The post also acknowledged him for elevating its monthly revenue from GHS 400 million to an impressive GHS 1 billion, enabling it to invest further in improving its services.

“Significantly reducing meter request backlogs through the Loss Reduction Project (LRP), injecting 275,000 meters into the system and improving efficiency. Replacing outdated meters with our enhanced meter management system, ensuring accuracy and reliability for our customers across operational regions” the post further noted.

However, Ghanaians considered the post to be insensitive, particularly at a time they were experiencing power outages popularly known as dumsor.

The post had garnered over 500 comments, 69 shares and nearly 800 reactions at the time of filing this report on Tuesday, May 14.

A social media user commented, “Which transformation are you talking about, is it the one you apply for meter with pole you would only get meter without pole and the customer has to get it himself, or the one when you pay your bills they’ll still bring you the same bill that you didn’t pay or what.”

“I applied for a prepaid meter in January this year for my shop, paid all necessary fees and expectations done. But I’m yet to get my meter fixed because I learnt there is no meter available. How do u guys expect startups in this country to do well with this kind of messed up system?” another person commented.

Here are some comments from other Facebook users:

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ECG attributes Obuasi ‘dumsor’ to illegal connection https://www.adomonline.com/ecg-attributes-obuasi-dumsor-to-illegal-connection/ Mon, 22 Apr 2024 12:29:58 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2384114 The Manager of the Obuasi Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ing. Albert Adjabeng, has attributed the recent widespread power outages in Obuasi to illegally installed meters.

Speaking to Adom News correspondent Isaac K. Normanyo at the Obuasi ECG office, Adjabeng disclosed that, their investigation revealed the presence of meters imported from sources not affiliated with ECG in Obuasi.

He further noted that opinion leaders, some Assembly members, and electricians were found to be complicit in this illicit activity, which resulted in overloading transformers and causing intermittent power outages.

According to Adjabeng, the use of these illegal meters prevents the ECG from capturing and billing the associated electricity consumption, resulting in significant financial losses for the company.

He called on all residents to assist in combating this issue by providing information about such illegal installations.

ECG communication officer for Ashanti South, Sampson Boateng, explained their billing system, noting that estimated bills are issued to individuals with faulty meters or those residing in areas where meter readers cannot gain access.

Mr. Boateng urged residents to report any abnormalities regarding their meters to the ECG office for prompt action.

SEE ALSO

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Kejetia traders demand individual meters to end persistent power cuts https://www.adomonline.com/kejetia-traders-demand-individual-meters-to-end-persistent-power-cuts/ Wed, 17 Apr 2024 19:48:02 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2382452 Traders at the Kejetia Market have demanded that individual power meters be installed for the smooth running of their activities to end power disconnections.

This comes after the market was plunged into darkness for more than three days after the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) disconnected the market from the national power grid due to a GH¢70 million debt owed to the ECG.

Currently, the traders are relying on a generator set to be able to run their activities but only for the common areas.

Speaking on JoyNews, the President of the Federation of Kumasi Traders, Nana Akwasi Prempeh, said many traders regret selling their wares at the market due to the persistent power outages.

“People are suffering. A lot of the traders are even giving up on why they came to the market to rent shops because it was anticipated that the new Kejetia market would be a new facility, unlike the old central market. So we thought that we were going to have everything smoothly [and] things were going to run perfectly.

“But unfortunately, when it comes to this electricity system in the market, it is causing a lot of disturbances in the market because before we could say jack, every three to four months, ECG disconnects power,” he said.

Management at the market distributed the first batch of private power meters to the traders in March.

However, the traders insist on accessing more of the individual meters to resolve the power situation at the market.

According to Mr Prempeh, the nature of the business conducted in the market necessitates that each shop be equipped with its own meter.

“Because of the bulk meter and looking at the nature of the work we do there, give each shop a meter,” he said.

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We won’t benefit from ECG’s fine – PURC Commissioner https://www.adomonline.com/we-wont-benefit-from-ecgs-fine-purc-commissioner/ Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:22:22 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2381989 A Commissioner at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and Executive Director of the Kumasi Institute of Technology & Environment (KITE), Ishmael Edjekumhene, says the commission will not benefit from the GH₵5,868,000 fine to be paid by the board members of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

According to him, the amount is to be paid into a dedicated fuel account under the joint control of the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance on or before 30th May 2024.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Top Story on Tuesday, April 16, Mr Edjekumhene stated that “PURC is not going to benefit from the fine,” emphasizing that the Commission is not a signatory to the said account in which the money would be paid.

He clarified that the idea of getting money to build up funds and acquire fuel as and when necessary informed the decision as to where the money should be paid.

Mr Edjekumhene’s remarks come after the PURC fined the board members of the ECG, who served in office from January 1 to March 18, 2024, to pay a regulatory charge of GHS5,868,000 in fines for overseeing power outages without any notification to power consumers between January and March this year.

The board includes the ECG MD, Samuel Mahama Dubik, and eight others. The current Deputy Energy Minister, Herbert Krapah, chairs the board, but he will not be affected as his tenure falls outside the period of the regulatory orders.

Keli Gadzekpo, who resigned as board chairman three weeks ago, will be affected by this fine. Chief Whip, Frank Annor Dompreh, and five other individuals are all affected.

The PURC has also criticized the ECG for offering “not factually accurate” reasons for the erratic and haphazard power outages suffered by consumers in recent times.

The ECG had claimed that overloaded transformers (as many as 630) were responsible for the power supply interruptions to homes and workplaces.

It also blamed the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), for making unplanned and last-minute demands to cut supply, which is also why it could not provide a load management timetable to guide consumers on when not to expect supply.

But commenting on the issue and whether there is a penalty for that, Mr Edjekumhene said the penalty is part of the sanction meted out to the ECG board members.

“If you provide false information to the regulator, if you read the order carefully, there are three different infractions that we are penalizing ECG and their board.”

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‘Dumsor’: ECG doesn’t determine load shedding – PUWU https://www.adomonline.com/dumsor-ecg-doesnt-determine-load-shedding-puwu/ Tue, 16 Apr 2024 20:43:12 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2381758 The Public Utility Workers’ Union (PUWU) has stated that, the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) determines load shedding in the country.

In this regard, the Electricity Company of Ghana(ECG) cannot be blamed for the delay in issuing a timetable amidst the erratic power supply known in the local parlance as ‘dumsor’.

The General Secretary of PUWU, Michael Nyantakyi disclosed this on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem after he was asked why the ECG has refused to yield to the calls by Ghanaians and the directive from the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy to release a dumsor time table.

But Mr Nyantakyi emphasised that, GRIDCo has data on the quantum of power to distribute at any given time.

“ECG on its own cannot issue the timetable. They need information from GRIDCo to plan and until that happens, ECG cannot just issue the time table.

“If GRIDCO decides to take power from any of the bulk supply stations, there is nothing ECG can do if there is no communication,” he explained.

Mr Nyantakyi said PUWU is therefore surprised by the directive of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to ECG and threat to sanction.

“Strong cooperation is required to create and issue a meaningful timetable. That is why we expressed disappointment in the PURC for the way they are going about things because they know the situation,” he added.

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Kejetia traders allegedly assault 2 ECG staff https://www.adomonline.com/kejetia-traders-allegedly-assault-2-ecg-staff/ Tue, 16 Apr 2024 11:27:40 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2381670 Some traders at the Kejetia market in Kumasi on Monday allegedly assaulted two workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The victims who are yet to be identified were said to be part of a revenue mobilisation team who visited the market.

The General Secretary for the Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) Michael Nyantakyi confirmed the incident on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Tuesday but was silent on the extent of injuries.

Unhappy Nyantakyi said this is not the first time ECG staff have been assaulted in their line of duty and raised concern about their safety.

“It is quite unfortunate for people who are doing their work to be attacked. People are not willing to pay for their utilities but aside disconnection, there is nothing ECG can do because the power is not free. We always have to put more effort towards collection,” he said.

Mr Nyantakyi stated that, the reason assault on ECG staff keeps reoccurring is due to the lack of strict punitive measures.

“People get this unnecessary boldness because of the sanctions. Even when people are arrested for power theft, the sanctions are mild so we don’t even take them seriously,” he added.

He saidr the Energy Ministry and Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (EC) must step in and deal decisively with perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the market for the second time has been disconnected from the national power grid due to a GH¢70 million debt owed ECG.

Leaders of the traders say power has been cut since last Thursday, and the market currently runs on a generator set on an intermittent basis.

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2024 Election: EC begins recruitment of temporary officers https://www.adomonline.com/2024-election-ec-begins-recruitment-of-temporary-officers/ Mon, 15 Apr 2024 21:10:39 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2381448 The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has started the recruitment process for temporary electoral officers for the upcoming 2024 general election.

Through a social media post dated Monday, April 15, 2024, signed by the Chairperson, Jean Mensa, the EC announced the commencement of applications for individuals interested in participating in the 2024 election duties.

The roles for the crucial activities in December includes the Voter Registration Exercise, Exhibition of Voters Register, and the General Elections scheduled for December 7, 2024.

The positions available cover a spectrum of responsibilities such as Registration Officers, Exhibition Officers, Presiding Officers, Registration Assistants (including Data Entry Clerks and Lamination Officers), Exhibition Assistants, and Polling Assistants (comprising Verification Officers, Ballot Issuers, and Name Reference List Officers).

In addition to outlining the positions, the Commission stressed the necessity for applicants to specify their region, district, and constituency in their application documents.

Below is the full statement

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Edward Bawa blasts NAPO over dumsor timetable comment https://www.adomonline.com/edward-bawa-blasts-napo-over-dumsor-timetable-comment/ Tue, 26 Mar 2024 08:04:15 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2373141 A member of Parliament’s Mines and Energy Committee, Edward Bawa is peeved about Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s recent statements regarding the necessity of a load-shedding timetable by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

Dr. Prempeh, speaking at the inauguration of the NPP campaign team in the Ashanti Region, challenged those advocating for the ECG to issue a load-shedding timetable to devise their own schedules instead.

He questioned the logic behind creating a timetable when the ECG has stated that there is no such plan in place.

In an interview on Citi FM, the Bongo MP said the Energy Minister’s comments reflected the government’s lack of concern for the welfare of Ghanaians.

He further suggested that, the Minister’s remarks conveyed anger and disrespect towards Ghanaians who have contributed to his current position.

“First and foremost, let me state that the comment by Honourable Matthew Opoku Prempeh is very unfortunate. It is a sign that we have a group of people who simply cannot care about how people feel. You can feel arrogance in his comments. You can feel disrespect for even the people who made you, who by their grace made you who you are in terms of being a minister of state,” he stated.

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Energy Minister denies return of ‘dumsor’ as he dismisses calls for timetable https://www.adomonline.com/energy-minister-denies-return-of-dumsor-as-he-dismisses-calls-for-timetable/ Mon, 25 Mar 2024 15:37:22 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2372946 Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has reassured the public of putting in place measures to fix the recent power supply disruption across the country.

Various areas have been experiencing interruptions in electricity supply in the past weeks, prompting citizens to express their dissatisfaction with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

This has triggered calls for a load-shedding timetable, but the Energy Minister ruled out such calls.

He says the demand for a load-shedding timetable is equivalent to wishing evil for the country.

“That is the word you used, I have never used that word. I have promised you that I am going to work on it. It is not a work that is a single event, is a process and we would continue to work on it for the energy sector to become better.

The Deputy Minister told JoyNews’ Nana Boakye Yiadom that: “ask those who want it to bring it, if there is, I have not seen any timetable When you say bring a timetable. What do you mean? The ECG says that there is no timetable coming, why do you want to bring a timetable coming? For what purpose? Why would somebody get up and wish evil or bad for the country, when it is not plan, you cannot tell the person”.

Meanwhile, some businesses in the region continue to reel under the impact of the incessant power cuts.

They are calling for a timetable as one of them claimed it “would help better than not knowing anything.”

“At least you know Monday, they will not be giving light from 6-12 o’clock, I will not be out. I will be in my house, knowing how to deal with my issues before after 12 o’clock, I can come out and do whatever I can do because, without electricity, we cannot do anything. So if they would do the scheduling of that time, it would help us.”

Another said “We come to work and so nothing.”

“At the end of the day, you realize you have wasted your time. If they give us light, we would be excited. The fuel is expensive hence the light out has affected our business.”

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ECG reacts to viral video of MD on social media https://www.adomonline.com/ecg-reacts-to-viral-video-of-md-on-social-media/ Sun, 17 Mar 2024 20:52:18 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2369690 The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has set the records straight on a viral clip on social media portraying its Managing Director, Samuel Dubik Mahama, as insensitive to the challenges of customers.

In a statement, ECG explained the video is an extract of an interview that was granted over a year and a half ago.

This statement noted it was during its impasse with Manya Krobo residents where amongst other things, ECG staff were assaulted for requesting payment of bills from customers.

“We deeply regret the misunderstanding created by the resurfacing of this extract, which has been grossly taken out of context,” portions of the statement read.

The company further noted that it understands the plight of its customers while assuring the citizenry that the “video does not reflect the values and commitment of our MD and ECG”.

Meanwhile, ECG says it is collaborating with key industry players on the value chain to address the issues being experienced to bring forth a sustainable solution.

Read the full statement below:

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ECG cuts power to Pankese after residents allegedly attack staff over skyrocketing bills [Video] https://www.adomonline.com/ecg-cuts-power-to-pankese-after-residents-allegedly-attack-staff-over-skyrocketing-bills-video/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 19:58:50 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2368158 Angry residents of Pankese have reportedly assaulted staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over exorbitant electricity bills.

The community has been reportedly disconnected from the national grid after the incident.

A Unit Committee member in the area, Eric Boafo confirmed this to Adom News.

He said the confusion started when a staff of ECG attempted to disconnect the power of an aggrieved customer who had decided not to pay the bill until reconciliation is done.

“This resulted in a fight after the ECG man slapped the customer. This angered the residents leading to the assault” Mr. Boafo stated.

After the incident, he claimed the ECG Manager at New Abirem decided to disconnect the entire community from the national grid as punishment for attacking his staff.

The Unit Committee member said all efforts to get the matter resolved for them to have electricity has proven futile.

He said business owners in the town especially those running cold stores are incurring a lot of debt due to the lack of electricity to keep the wares fresh.

On behalf of Pankese, Eric Boafo appealed to ECG to temper justice with mercy and restore their power.

Play attached audio for more

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Nii Moi Thompson: Beyond the prophets of doom: Highway to a 24-hour economy https://www.adomonline.com/nii-moi-thompson-beyond-the-prophets-of-doom-highway-to-a-24-hour-economy/ Sun, 26 Nov 2023 08:05:07 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2324343 Don’t mind the prophets of doom, who say, “a 24-hour economy is impossible.” It is possible! We are, after all, Nkrumah’s children: Yente gyai – “we don’t hear stop”. We just need to know what a 24-hour economy is and is not, and what its main drivers should be. And off we go!

For starters, a 24-hour economy is NOT the same as a night-time economy, which is part of the 24 hours. And no matter how big a 24-hour economy might be, the bulk of its main business activities and job creation will take place in the day-time economy, including the weekends, with night-time extensions playing a supplementary but crucial role.

In the world’s largest 24-hour economy (the United States), for example, only 27% of the labour force work nights. Yet, together, the day and night economies make a “dynamic duo,” creating perhaps the world’s most flexible formal labour market and giving both workers and job seekers, including students, virtually limitless options to choose from. Powered by this combo, America’s GDP, the biggest in the world at $25.6 trillion, is larger than that of the 27-country Euro area, which has a bigger population but not much of a 24-hour economy.

Building a 24-hour economy thus does not mean the end of the day-time economy (or chop bars at dawn). It only means the purposeful expansion of industrial activities, such as manufacturing and allied services like trucking, as well as high-value technical services like ICT, architectural services, and financial services, beyond the day into the night to meet rising domestic and international demand. In the US, for instance, some banks provide regular banking services in the day and process passport applications and other services for the Federal government overnight.

Exclusively night-time economies, mainly of the entertainment kind, are favoured by cities to complement other day-time activities (industrial or services) and to promote tourism in particular. These too have their place, especially for local governments, in a 24-hour economy for a country like Ghana, where tourism strategy is built around the narrow legacy of slavery and a few poorly organised festivals (and lately even funerals, a crazy idea). A more diversified tourism strategy, supported by a modern and globally competitive hospitality and travel industry, is needed to support a 24-hour economy across Ghana, not just Accra.

Nor is a 24-hour economy about haphazard financial handouts to businesses by government, which is broke anyway and will be for a long time. In the past, funds meant for “distressed businesses” were misused by unscrupulous beneficiaries, some of whom bought homes abroad with the funds. Another “entrepreneur” reportedly donated 10% of a subsidised loan to a church as tithe before spending even a pesewa on her business.

Government assistance to businesses in the building of a 24-hour economy must, therefore, be a prudent mix of the financial and non-financial, with objective and rigorous criteria for selecting beneficiaries. The best strategy, however, remains a Conducive Conditions Strategy (CCS), which emphasises reliable utility and other (public) services to allow the greatest number of entrepreneurs to rise and to thrive on their own anywhere in the country without government handouts.

Overall, the most effective strategy for creating a 24-hour economy must be informed by Ghana’s recent economic history, its collective aspiration to become a high-income country by 2057 (as outlined in the 40-Year Plan), and the need to build economic and institutional resilience in a global economy that is in perpetual turmoil.

The 11 factors listed below as the key drivers for a 24-hour economy must therefore be supported by simultaneous policies for social development (such as education and training); environmental development (such as spatial planning and the preservation of the natural environment); and institutional development (such as better public safety, effective decentralisation, and a credible assault on public sector corruption).

1. Electricity: Abundant, reliable, and affordable electricity is the lifeblood of a 24-hour economy. Sadly, the government has missed critical targets for electricity use as the driver of economic growth in the past seven years and is unlikely to overcome that any time soon. Fortunately, the 40-Year Plan contains policies and strategies that can help close the gap substantially, if not completely. But extensive governance reforms in the broader energy sector will be required. For example, the CEOs for ECG, GRIDCO, and VRA must be hired professionally, not appointed politically, and signed to performance contracts to deliver or be fired. Better to displease three people than to disappoint 33 million Ghanaians.

2. Infrastructure and Logistics: Goods and services once produced (largely as a result of available and stable electricity) must be transported and distributed efficiently to consumers, at home and abroad, through physical and virtual infrastructure, governed by appropriate systems and regulations (logistics). The decline of Ghana’s physical infrastructure over decades makes this task daunting. A typical cargo truck in Ghana, for instance, crawls at only 18 mph, instead of the optimal 55mph, which partly accounts for Ghana’s weak global competitiveness. But, as with the shortfall in electricity use, there are solutions: strategic short-term interventions can mitigate these challenges enough to facilitate the beginnings for a 24-hour economy, while medium- to long-term solutions are pursued.

3. Exports: Without an aggressive export development agenda, a 24-hour economy is doomed to fail. Local demand, even in large-population countries, is never enough to sustain a 24-hour economy, which explains why, for instance, the US Trade Representative operates from the White House, where the president can use his power to open up markets for US exporters. Every $1 billion in US merchandise exports creates 6,000 new American jobs, while $1 billion in service exports (such as tourism, music, movies, and education) creates 4,500 new ones. Ghana’s export policies and strategy, by contrast, have been weak, plagued by inconsistencies, crass politicisation, and corruption. This is a threat to a 24-hour economy.

4. Local Economic Development (LED): The national economy is the sum of all local economies. To grow the national economy thus requires purposeful growth of local economies. Yet, this obvious truth has for years been lost on policymakers, who disproportionately direct national development resources to Accra, to the neglect of the rest of the country (Over 85% of foreign direct investment, for instance, goes to Greater Accra Region alone (mainly Accra and Tema), while nearly 70% of all finished goods in Ghana are produced in the region). The result is a region/city operating beyond its capacity and choking on its inefficiencies. For a 24-hour economy to be beneficial to all Ghanaians, growth opportunities must be created nationwide through LED.

5. Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs): A focus on SMEs should not mean a neglect of large firms. Both will play critical roles in a 24-hour economy. But their needs and capabilities differ. For instance, while large firms can afford to hire lawyers and accountants to navigate government red tape, such services come at a great and often unaffordable cost to SMEs. SMEs also face a much bigger challenge in acquiring skills (hard and soft; as well as managerial and professional); entering foreign markets; and accessing just finance, as they’re subjected to punitive interest rates by lenders. Government support for SMEs in Ghana also tends to be unduly centralised and fragmented, undermining the constitutional role of district assemblies to lead the economic development of their communities. Chiefs in particular should champion the case of LED under a 24-hour economy.

6. Employment Act: Originally proposed in the NDC’s 2020 Manifesto (the first of its kind in Ghana), an employment act will serve two purposes: (1) Provide the legal framework for policies to create jobs in a 24-hour economy, and (2) fill a void left by the current Labour Act, which focuses primarily on conditions of work and not opportunities for work. The new Act should also facilitate the formalisation of the Ghanaian economy by guiding policy away from vulnerable employment to secure or wage employment, which is associated with decent work and poverty eradication.

7. Markets Modernisation: Markets constitute the core of Ghana’s retail economy, and in many districts, they (along with their associated lorry parks and petty traders) are the main sources of local revenue. They also constitute the critical link between what will be produced in a 24-hour economy and how to get them to consumers (wholesaling and retailing). They tend, however, to be chaotic, inefficient, and bedevilled by sanitation challenges, despite the fact that traders pay daily tolls to their assemblies. Fortunately, former president John Mahama has a head start on this, with his transformation and modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market. He has promised to expand his Market Modernisation Programme to the rest of the country if re-elected. It should form a major building block of the 24-hour economy he has proposed.

8. Civil Service Modernisation: There can be no productive private sector, least of all for a functioning 24-hour economy, without a civil service that is efficient and responsive to the needs of businesses. The disconnect between the two has been the bane of Ghana’s economic growth and transformation over decades. In the take-off phase of a 24-hour economy, targeted reforms in the civil service to facilitate the various catalytic initiatives from the government will be required – at the national and sub-national levels.

9. Agricultural Modernisation: Agricultural policy should focus on efficiency, which increases productivity (farmers using less inputs or better techniques to produce more), with the objective of increasing output (for food self-sufficiency and industrial inputs), raising rural incomes, and reducing rural poverty. This means government, among other things, providing critical support services, including extension services, in a fair, transparent and efficient manner. For the youth, employment-creation opportunities should focus on “secondary agriculture,” or agro-processing, which has a greater potential for growth to meet both domestic and external demand and create the kind of high-paying jobs that are not readily available in “primary agriculture”.

10. Stronger economic policy framework: The framework for economic policy-making in Ghana has always been fragmented and ill-focused, with disproportionate attention to macroeconomic policies (fiscal and monetary), and very weak, sometimes even counter-productive, links to sector policies, which directly drive economic growth and create jobs. The current obsession with a deficit- and debt-GDP ratios and misguided efforts by the Bank of Ghana to fight inflation by needlessly punishing businesses with killer interest rates is a classic case of a disconnect between macroeconomic policies and sectoral policies, which in turn must be shaped by sound development planning. A 24-hour economy will require a revolution in economic thinking and policy-making, including planning, implementation, and monitoring.

11. A productivity revolution: The 40-Year Plan proposed a “Productivity Development Strategy” as one of 13 catalytic initiatives to unleash the creative and entrepreneurial spirits of Ghanaians. Nothing became of it. It is not too late to apply Sankofa principles, mindful of the fact that without purposeful growth in productivity, none of the drivers discussed above would be fully effective, much less sustainable. As a recent World Bank report said, productivity is the single biggest determinant of differences between rich and poor countries, a fact which has gained greater global attention since COVID-19. We ignore it at our own peril.

“What others have done, we can do.” – Marcus Garvey

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Privatise ECG to address inefficiencies – CSOs to government https://www.adomonline.com/privatise-ecg-to-address-inefficiencies-csos-to-government/ Tue, 14 Nov 2023 10:00:22 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2318708 The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Budget Forum have advised government to privatise the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to inject some efficiency into its operations.

The call comes on the back of a recent GH¢2 million loss made by the company between January to September 2023.

According to the group, various studies conducted reveal privatising the operations of the state company is the best option to enhance its operation.

Addressing journalists at a news conference on Thursday (9 November) in Accra to present its recommendations to the government in some critical sectors ahead of the 2024 Budget presentation in Parliament, a member of the forum, Abdul Kareem Muhammed said ECG has been inefficient.

“ECG has failed to manage itself, so we are asking that they consider a return to the private sector participation arrangement, but we are not asking to go back to the days of PDS.”

“Within the last 6 months or so, the tariffs have been increased by about 100%, but liquidity has worsened within the same period, so whereas the tariff has increased, their cash position is even worse now,” he said.

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Gaming Commission aids Akosombo flood victims with items worth GH₵40,000 https://www.adomonline.com/gaming-commission-aids-akosombo-flood-victims-with-items-worth-gh%e2%82%b540000/ Mon, 13 Nov 2023 11:40:27 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2318163 The Gaming Commission of Ghana has donated relief items worth GH₵40,000.00 to victims affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region.

The relief items, include clothes, mosquito nets, soft drinks, soap, bags of rice, slippers, and solar panels.

An entourage from the Commission led by Sena Deke presented the items when they visited the area to offer words of encouragement to the victims.

They were warmly received by the affected residents, local chiefs, and the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, Osborn Divine.

In an interview with Adom News correspondent Odehyeba Owusu Job, Mrs Deke said the donation was a demonstration of compassion.

She stated that, the Commission through the donation seeks to bring joy and comfort to the victims who have endured hardships to save the Akosombo Dam.

For her part, Corporate Affairs at the Gaming Commission of Ghana, Angela Owusu Appiah urged other entities and individuals to join hands in assisting the affected people to alleviate their suffering.

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Businessman remanded over assault on ECG staff https://www.adomonline.com/businessman-remanded-over-assault-on-ecg-staff/ Mon, 13 Nov 2023 09:05:33 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2318128 A businessman, who allegedly assaulted a staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over meter, has been remanded into Police custody by an Accra Circuit Court.

Habib Shaibu, charged with causing harm, intentionally interfering with ECG’s distribution system, and stealing unspecified electricity power, pleaded not guilty.

Counsel for Shaibu prayed for bail.

The prosecution, led by Mr Paul Assibi Abarigah, General Manager in charge of prosecution, opposed the grant of bail.

The court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah turned down the bail application saying the conduct of the accused person was too intimidating.

Shaibu is expected to appear before the court on November 17. 2023.

Mr Abariga, the prosecutor, said the complainant Frank Afako was a staff of ECG Revenue Protection Unit, whilst the accused person, Habibi Shaibu, was a businessman residing at Agyringano.

The prosecution told the court that Shaibu owned a mobile phone shop at Ashalley Botwe, Accra.

It said on January 4, 2023, the complainant and his team visited the accused person’s shop and inspected his ECG meter.

After inspection, the team detected that the accused person had allegedly used 2.5 cable to tap power before the ECG installed prepaid meter in his shop.

The prosecution said the complainant then disconnected the power and issued summons for the accused person to report at ECG office at Legon, but the accused failed to do so.

It said on April 4, 2023, the complainant and his team revisited the accused person’s shop and realised that he had removed the installed ECG prepaid meter and had installed ECG postpaid meter.

The prosecution said when Shaibu was asked the whereabout of the prepaid meter that had been removed, he could not answer.

It said the leader of the team ordered the complainant to disconnect the power and remove the postpaid meter.

When the complainant removed the meter and went outside the shop, the accused person became furious and assaulted him physically, with blood oozing from the complainant’s mouth.

According to the prosecutor, the complainant was rushed to Ogbojo Poly Clinic for treatment, but later referred to the Tema General Hospital.

The prosecution said the matter was referred to the ECG investigation unit and a police medical form was issued to the complainant.

The complainant returned the medical form and same was endorsed by a medical officer from the Tema General Hospital.

During investigation, the police visited the scene (accused person’s shop) and it was discovered that the accused person had reconnected ECG power directly and using same for business.

The accused person was invited to assist investigation.

The prosecution said on August 30, 2023, the accused person reported himself and investigation caution statement was obtained from him.

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Police confirms complaint of assault on GHOne TV presenter by alleged Chief Imam’s security https://www.adomonline.com/police-confirms-complaint-of-assault-on-ghone-tv-presenter-by-persons-alleged-to-be-chief-imams-security/ Tue, 24 Oct 2023 11:50:39 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2309444 The Police have confirmed that a case of assault has been lodged against persons alleged to be associated with the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu.

Myjoyonline sources at the Police Headquarters say the case is being investigated, after GHOne TV presenter, Lantam Papanko lodged the complaint at the Mile 7 Police Station on Sunday, October 22.

Lantam, who says the assault occurred on the Ofankor-Amasaman road on Sunday, has explained that he was driving in the inner lane of the Ofankor-Tantra stretch when he realized a motorcyclist was riding at high speed behind him, attempting to overtake him.

He added that the rider got agitated when he questioned him about his reckless riding. The rider then hit his vehicle and the side mirror, after verbally assaulting him.

“I was driving from the Ofankor roundabout headed towards Tantra Roundabout, Mile 7. And I was driving in the inner lane. So while I was moving, I saw a motorcyclist coming from behind me.

“I noticed the motorcycle moving fast to the right, to the driver’s side, behind me, trying to overtake me. I was wondering what the problem was. And he started signalling to me that I should move off the road.

He added, “So I also signalled to him what was the problem? Why he was signalling me to move off the road?

Then he moved off from that side and then came to the other side, the passenger side on the right side. And he started insulting me. He asked me why I didn’t want to move off the road. I realised a black SUV bearing the number plate ‘Imam’ with flashing red and blue lights had been following me.

“Struggling to comprehend the unfolding scene, I witnessed the motorcyclist pulling up beside me and verbally assaulting me.

“The aggressive exchange didn’t end there. In a fit of rage, the motorcyclist struck my vehicle with his hands and then violently hit my side mirror, causing it to turn.”

Lantam added that a vehicle supposedly belonging to the National Chief Imam abruptly stopped in front of his car, compelling him to stop.

He added that after stopping, three guys alighted from the vehicle and together the motorcyclist assaulted him.

“He confronted me with accusations of disrespect and used his helmet to strike me through the car window. So the guy rode off and then I saw the Chief Imam’s car pass. I picked up my normal speed again. Then I realised that ahead of me, the Chief Imam’s car came to an abrupt stop right in front of me. I had to come to a screeching halt.”

“The rider pulled up beside me again. He got down from the vehicle, took off his helmet and started saying, don’t I respect? What is the meaning of what I was doing? And he used his helmet through the window to hit me in my face.”

And I saw about three people get down from the Chief Imam’s vehicle. They came and stood by my side where I was directly sitting, while in the car. And they started slapping and hitting me on my head and face and asking me, don’t I know that is the Chief Imam that is coming? Don’t I respect? The old man is sitting in the car. Instead of getting out of the way, I’m still sitting in the car and I don’t want to move. What is wrong with me? Why am I behaving like that?

“The guy used his helmet to hit me through the window like four times. And the other guys were slapping me and hitting me. I tried to protect myself with my hands. One of them eventually struck me in the forehead.” he added.

The presenter added that he received treatment at the Achimota Hospital and subsequently lodged a complaint at the Mile 7 Police Station.

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Woman’s eye swollen after alleged assault by ECG taskforce https://www.adomonline.com/womans-eye-swollen-after-alleged-assault-by-ecg-taskforce/ Wed, 04 Oct 2023 14:32:25 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2302130 A 65-year-old woman, Esther Dogbe, has been left with a swollen eye after she was beaten by some workers alleged to be staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The incident happened on Wednesday during a revenue mobilisation exercise at Adade, a suburb of Gomoa Nyanyano in the Gomao East District of the Central region.

In an interview with Adom News, the victim alleged that, the taskforce tampered with their meters and cut their cables.

An attempt by her son, Samuel Yako-hene Dogbe, to stop the group numbering about 20 resulted in a heated exchange between them.

She claimed she was hit in the eye and pushed into muddy water she tried to restore peace and order.

The victim, who is on admission at Kasoa Polyclinic, said she was slapped multiple times before being pushed into the water.

Samuel is also on admission at the same facility while the incident has been reported to the police pending investigation.

This comes exactly a week after a medical doctor and his relatives were severely assaulted at Gomoa Nyanyano over an alleged debt owed.

However, ECG is yet to comment on the incident.

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ECG staff allegedly beat medical doctor to pulp https://www.adomonline.com/ecg-staff-allegedly-beat-medical-doctor-to-pulp/ Thu, 28 Sep 2023 16:05:18 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2299482 Some workers alleged to be staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), have reportedly beaten a medical doctor to pulp.

The incident happened on Wednesday when the staff from Nyanyano Kakraba ECG office in the Central region went to Dr. Amos Kwakye house to collect debt owed.

Adom News’ Kofi Adjei who followed the story reported that, an altercation ensued between the doctor and the suspects, numbering about seven.

He claimed Dr. Kwakye was severely assaulted, and some of his relatives were not spared.

Narrating his ordeal, Dr Kwakye said he had, for the past months, not received bills from ECG until recently, when he received a notification to that effect.

However, a member of the ECG taskforce accused him of power theft, which led to a heated argument.

Dr Kwakye said his accuser pounced on him and in an attempt to resist him, his colleagues joined in.

He suffered head injuries and had his shirt torn.

The victim, Amos Kwakye.

The victim is currently on admission at the Mother and Child Hospital receiving medical attention.

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Parliament calls for cancellation of Zoomlion contract https://www.adomonline.com/parliament-calls-for-cancellation-of-zoomlion-contract/ Wed, 30 Aug 2023 13:14:37 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2288612 Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended the cancellation of the fumigation contracts between waste management company, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, and the metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs).

The Committee said the cancelation of the contract has become necessary because the assemblies cannot “vouch” for the integrity and composition of chemicals used during the fumigation process.

“The Committee observed with concerned (sic) that the Fumigation contract between the Assemblies and Zoomlion Company may result in waste of Public Funds since it is difficult for the Assemblies to vouch for the chemicals being used by the Company for the fumigation exercise.”

The verification exercise is difficult for the assemblies and auditors too, the committee says.

“The Committee is therefore recommending to the Assemblies to not renew the contracts when the existing Agreements expire,” it concluded.

This recommendation is contained in the committee’s report on the Auditor-General’s report on the management and utilization of the District Assemblies Common Fund and other Statutory Funds for the year ending 2020.

The report was adopted by Parliament on July 11, 2023.

The Committee’s recommendation has been the crusade of some assembly members and officials in the country.

In 2017, for instance, the then District Environmental Officer of Kpandai in the Northern Region, Thomas Nkpetri, said the centralisation of the Zoomlion contract robbed the assemblies of their supervisory roles.

Fumigation in particular, I believe the effect of it is not being seen. You know how our township is and the rainy season and when the place becomes wet, they are a lot of stagnant water bodies in the system. But on the whole, whether the impact is being felt, I don’t believe so.

His concerns were reechoed by Matthew Dzakpa Mumuni, the Northern Region Environmental Health officer, who said, “Frankly, the chemicals that they used, I have not seen it before, but it’s a concern that there’s the need for us to know.”

The assemblies say they were pressured to sign the contracts with Zoomlion and payments for the contract are carried out in Accra. The District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) Secretariat deducts money from the assemblies’ share of the Common Fund and pays Zoomlion directly in Accra, whether or not the contract is carried out in the districts.

 Zoomlion received GHS 469,219,550 since 2015 for the fumigation exercise

Jospong
President Akufo-Addo and the Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies, Joseph Siaw Agyepong.Picture Credit: University of Ghana

Data from the DACF show that Zooomlion Ghana Limited has been paid GHS 469,219,550 in the last eight years, for the work the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee calls “wastage of Public Funds.”

This contract has been running since 2010.

Zoomlion also receives about GHS 20 million every month for “managing” sweepers at the markets and public places in the assemblies. This contract is between Zoomlion and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA). The money is deducted as source and paid to the company. The assemblies do not control the payment.

Despite being paid this amount monthly, Zoomlion Ghana Limited in its budget pegs the cost of each worker at GH₵ 600  per month, but the company pays each worker GH₵ 180 and keeps the rest of the GH₵ 420 as management and logistics fees.

In February 2022, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin directed the Employment and Labour Relations Committee, to investigate the matter.

When the sweepers of the markets collect and put the refuse in communal containers, Zoomlion Ghana Limited has separate contracts with all the assemblies in Ghana to lift the container to the final disposal sites.

This contract is called the Sanitation Improvement Package (SIP). This contract has existed since 2007 and even though the assemblies have expressed worries about its effectiveness, payment is made at the DACF.

The amount paid to Zoomlion Ghana Ltd for the Sanitation Improvement Package ( SIP) and Fumigation since 2015

All amounts in cedis

YearSIPFumigation
201536,184,750.0040,660,550.00
201636,184,750.0040,660,550.00
201736,340,000.0040,884,800.00
201841,221,750.0046,497,950.00
201946,626,750.0052,667,700.00
202054,855,000.0061,962,000.00
202154,855,000.0061,962,000.00
202263,083,250.0071,256,300.00
Total369,351,250416,551,850

Source: District Assemblies Common Fund

Zoomlion’s ongoing contract with the government

Zoomlion GH. Ltd has two major contracts with the various MMDAs across the country, currently running – Sanitation Improvement Package (SIP) and Fumigation – aside from the Youth in Sanitation contract.

The SIP/YEA contracts were first signed under John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration and have been running despite many investigative reports and adverse findings against them by the Auditor-General.

The Auditor-General (A-G), in its annual report on the management and utilization of the District Assemblies Common Fund and other Statutory Funds, has, on countless occasions, cited Zoomlion for various contract breaches.

In most cases, the A-G recommended a stoppage of payments to the company and a refund of monies it undeservedly received. In some cases, it recommended an abrogation of the contracts.

naa torshie dacf
Irene Naa Torshie Addo, Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), and all assemblies across the country have been directed to discontinue payments to  Zoomlion for fumigation.

However, the DACF administrator continues to deduct from the assemblies’ share of the DACF at source and pay to Zoomlion without even ascertaining, in almost all cases, whether the company has rendered services to, or has valid contracts with the assemblies to merit the payments.

This has resulted in payments made to the company for no work done. In a number of cases, payments were made without contractual agreements.

In outdoor spaces, large-scale spraying or fumigation in areas such as streets or open market places for the COVID-19 virus or other pathogens is not recommended. Streets and sidewalks are not considered routes of infection for COVID-19. Spraying disinfectants, even outdoors, can be noxious for people’s health and cause eye, respiratory, or skin irritation or damage.

zoomlion fumigation scaled
A Zoomlion truck sprayed the streets as part of the fumigation exercise in 2020 which the WHO described as inefficient.

In 2020, while Zoomlion Ghana Ltd was already being paid for its fumigation contracts in all assemblies across the country, President Akufo-Addo authorised the award of a contract to Zoomlion Ghana Ltd to fumigate schools, markets, and other public places to fight Covid-19. This was contrary to caution from the World Health Organisation that the measure was ineffective in the fight against the virus.

The so-called Covid-19 fumigation cost Ghana about GHS 500 million.

In addition, the District Assemblies Common Fund also paid Zoomlion Ghana Limited GHS 61,962,000.00 in 2020 for fumigation.

What the World Health Organisation says about Zoomlion-like fumigation contract in 2020

Issuing a notice on how countries may contain the deadly COVID-19, the World Health Organisation said outdoor and large-scale spraying in markets or streets was not recommended.

“In outdoor spaces, large-scale spraying or fumigation in areas such as streets or open market places for the COVID-19 virus or other pathogens is not recommended. Streets and sidewalks are not considered routes of infection for COVID-19. Spraying disinfectants, even outdoors, can be noxious for people’s health and cause eye, respiratory, or skin irritation or damage,” the caution, issued on March 31, 2022, said.

zoomlion pic
Some officers of Zoomlion Ghana Ltd preparing for a fumigation exercise in 2020. Picture Credit: Adom Online

President Akufo-Addo nevertheless authorised the fumigation of schools.

Research and Policy Analyst at Policy Think Tank, Imani Ghana, Bright Simons, said at the time that the decision to contract Zoomlion Ghana Limited for a fumigation exercise was driven by commercial interest rather than public health interest.

Then Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Osei Bonsu Amoah told the media that he agrees with the assertion.

“Whoever says this spraying kills the virus is not being truthful. The spraying only coincided with the coronavirus,” he said in a media interview.

In 2017, an investigative report by JoyNews reporter, Manasseh Azure Awuni, now The Fourth Estate’s founding Editor-In-Chief, unearthed fresh allegations of corruption against the Jospong Group, the parent company of Zoomlion Ghana.

More Zoomlion scandals with the MMDAs fumigation and others

The report revealed that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had, in 2015, signed contracts worth GH¢98 million with 11 other subsidiaries of the Jospong Group of Companies to undertake fumigation exercises across the country when Zoomlion Ghana Limited had already been paid by the district assemblies and the Ministry of Health to do the same job through multiple contracts.

In 2016, a similar contract worth GHS 96 million was again awarded to the Jospong Group but there was no evidence of work done. The police investigated these scandals and submitted dockets to the Attorney-General but nothing came out of the investigation.

Manasseh’s “Robbing the Assemblies” investigation further exposed how the Jospong Group of Companies had inflated the cost of a waste bins contract awarded to it through sole-sourcing by at least GH¢130 million.

The 2020 Auditor-General’s Report recommended the retrieval of GHS 95 million cedis from Zoomlion’s sister company, Sewerage Systems GH. Ltd. The Auditor-General said the government had paid the money to the company without any contractual arrangement.

The government did not retrieve the money but proceeded to pay more to the company.

The Finance Ministry’s response to an RTI request by The Fourth Estate revealed that the Akufo-Addo government had disbursed GH¢156 million from the Sanitation and Pollution Levy imposed on Ghanaians to Sewerage Systems GH. Ltd.

The Auditor-General ordered the Administrator of the DACF, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, to recover the funds which went into waste treatment plant construction by the Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited (SSGL).

SSGL has been receiving the funds since 2016 without any legal backing, the Auditor-General said. However, the payment of GHc 19 million in 2020, being an outstanding amount for the GHS 95 million, triggered an enquiry by the Auditor-General.

For the years 2021 and 2022, even though the company committed similar contractual breaches resulting in financial losses to the state, the A-G failed to quantify the value of the losses.

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2 arrested for beating ECG staff https://www.adomonline.com/2-arrested-for-beating-ecg-staff/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 16:19:50 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2281146 The Ghana Police Service has arrested two persons, Richard Asante Larry, 27, and Jonathan Ahele, 27, for allegedly assaulting some staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) at Tuba near Kasoa in the Central Region.

The incident occurred when a team of ECG staff visited the premises of the suspects as part of the ongoing Operation Zero exercise, which seeks to mobilise revenue, identify illegalities, and regularise foreign meters.

The ECG officials brought to the suspects’ attention the need to disconnect their power due to non-payment of bills.

The suspects vehemently protested, so the ECG team requested the contact number of the landlord, which they again refused.

The ECG team upon disconnecting power to the premises, was locked up by the suspects. Additionally, they threatened to hit one of the ECG officials with an electric kettle.

It took the intervention of another ECG team working in the area to release them and reported the case at the Tuba Police Station.

According to the Weija Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Kumashie Freeman, the suspects were put before the court on 3rd August 2023 and are set to reappear on 9th August 2023.

General Manager for ECG Central, Emmanuel Lumor, advised customers to desist from acquiring meters from other sources apart from ECG.


He said ECG officials are visiting every house to check the integrity of meters in customers’ premises and would root out such unscrupulous persons.

He added that customers should not resist ECG officials who visit their premises to carry out their routine operations and also urged the public not to hesitate to visit any of ECG’s district offices for an excellent customer service experience.

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Two in custody for assaulting ECG Officials https://www.adomonline.com/two-in-custody-for-assaulting-ecg-officials/ Thu, 08 Jun 2023 08:01:46 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2257835 An Accra Circuit Court has remanded into police custody two persons who allegedly assaulted two officials of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) at Oyarifa during a disconnection exercise.

Shadrack Adjetey Monnie, a 42-year-old building contractor and Anyetei Ezekiel, a 24-year-old construction labourer, have been jointly charged with causing unlawful damage and two counts of assault.

They pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The Court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, remanded them into Police custody to reappear on June 8, 2023.

The facts as presented by the prosecutor, Mr Paul Assibi Abariga, were that the complainants, Mr Thomas Tetteh Yemo and Mr Evans Kwame Ofori, were both technicians from the Dodowa District Office of ECG, while the accused persons and others at large were residents of Oyarifa, Accra.

The prosecution said that at about 1530 hours on May 22, 2023, the complainants were performing their lawful duties by disconnecting all ECG customers who were owing the company at Oyarifa and its environs.

It said one Monnie organised Ezekiel and others at large, to prevent the complainants from performing the disconnection exercise in the Oyarifa township.

The prosecution said Mr Yemo was in the compound of a customer who owed the Company when the accused persons and their accomplices came there and ordered him to leave the premises without reason.

It said none of the accused persons lived in the said house. The prosecution said the accused persons pushed Mr Yemo who fell into dirty stagnant water, resulting in damage to his Infinix mobile phone.

It said when Ofori tried to assist Yemo, the other accused persons pounced on him and beat him mercilessly. The prosecution said Ofori forced his way out of the compound and ran towards a commercial vehicle in other to escape from further beatings. It said the accused persons chased Ofori, and further manhandled the technician who lost his ECG Identity card holder and a spectacle in the process.

The prosecution said the Police chanced on the scene and arrested Monnie, whilst his accomplices fled the area. It said on May 26, 2023, Ezekiel was also arrested by Ayi Mensah Police and Mr Yemo identified him as one of the people who attacked and assaulted them.

The prosecution said the accused persons were handed over to the investigation unit of ECG for further action. It said Police Medical Forms were issued to the complainants for treatment.

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1 person allegedly shot in Lower Manya Krobo over prepaid meter installation https://www.adomonline.com/1-person-allegedly-shot-in-lower-manya-krobo-over-prepaid-meter-installation/ Tue, 23 Aug 2022 10:57:38 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2153253 One person has allegedly sustained a gunshot wound at Nuaso in the Lower Manya Krobo municipality during a tussle between some residents who have been resisting the installation of prepaid meters by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The identity of the middle-aged man has not been readily established but in a viral video, he bled profusely from his back while one of the residents was overheard claiming “the soldiers shot him. Ghana, let’s be careful, this is what the soldiers are doing to us in Odumase Krobo.”

There is brewing tension in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality as some residents of Nuaso, a community in the municipality have accused the military detachment who are assisting the ECG to install prepaid meters of assault.

The residents alleged that the team attacked and severely subjected some of the residents to beatings, though they did not resist the installation of the meters.

The unprovoked attacks have left many injured while others live in fear.

One of the female victims of the attack explained that “when they came, I was preparing food in the kitchen. They said I should enter my room and I said I was cooking so I cannot go with them.

“The moment I said I cannot go, they took their cane and started beating me. They said we are going to come again, and we will come and beat you more than this.”

Ebenezer Teye Padi, who also sustained injuries in the face and back, alleged that one of the soldiers hit his head with the butt of his rifle while sitting with friends.

“We have a resting place, we sit there. We saw the military men coming towards us, they didn’t ask us any questions and they started beating us up. Anybody they saw roaming about meant that you were their enemy.

“Nobody told us that ECG and military men are coming to us so if you are a resident you will ask them what they are doing here. That is our mistake. Look at my back, they hit my head with their gun,” he said.

In a related development, ECG in response to the accusation has condemned the incident, noting that “these attacks are unfortunate situations.”

“The team has withdrawn from Nuaso Old Town,” the ECG stated.

Explaining what accounted for the attacks, ECG said “in Nuaso Old Town, there was resistance. One woman threatened to pour hot oil on the ECG personnel and the Military as well.”

According to ECG, “a crowd started amassing around one ECG team. The Military was able to retrieve a cutlass from one of those amassing around the ECG people.

“There have been reports of constant verbal abuses and attacks on the personnel doing the installation in Nuaso Old Town.”

ECG, however, called for peace and calm so that their personnel can be able to discharge their duties peacefully.

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3 granted GH₵60,000 bail for illegal connection https://www.adomonline.com/3-granted-gh%e2%82%b560000-bail-for-illegal-connection/ Sun, 21 Aug 2022 10:51:36 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2152401 Three unemployed young men have been granted a bail of GH₵20,000 with one surety each by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly engaging in illegal power connection.

Ismail Fahad, 18, Mawuli Oscar, 22, and Moses Teye, 18, were hauled before the court after they were caught using power in their chamber and hall apartment at Abavana Down, a suburb of Accra which did not pass through the electric metre in the house.

They have been charged with stealing, conspiracy of threat of harm, conspiracy to intentionally interfer or knowingly allowing interference with the supplier’s distribution system, meters, or any equipment and threat of harm.

Ismail Fahad is facing an additional charge of assault. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges and the court, presided over by His Honour Bright Samuel Acquah, granted them bail of GH₵20,000 with one surety each who must have a fixed place of abode and fix business within the court’s jurisdiction.

The facts presented by Paul Asibi Abariga, the prosecutor, indicated that the complainant, Emmanuel Acheampong, is a staff of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the accused persons are friends who live together in a chamber and hall apartment at Abavana Down in Accra.

He told the court that on August 15, 2022, the complainant led a team of ECG technicians to Abavana Down on their normal exercise and visited the accused persons’ apartment for inspection of their electric meter.

The lawyer said the team detected that the power used by the accused persons was not passing through the metre and in the presence of the accused persons, the power was disconnected. He added that the ECG team noted that the accused persons’ air conditioner was still working while their meter was disconnected.

Mr Abariga told the court that whilst the complainant wanted to issue accused persons with summons to report at the ECG office, the accused persons became offended and attacked the ECG team, ordering them to reconnect their power.

The accused, according to the facts, followed the ECG team and seized their tools and threatened to harm the ECG team with the tools in their custody. It indicates that some neighbours intervened and separated them but Ismail Fahad not being satisfied, went ahead to beat the complainant.

The complainant then reported the issue to the Kotobabi Police station and he was issued with a medical form to attend hospital for necessary action to be taken. The accused persons were subsequently arrested on August 17, 2022 and the case was later referred to the ECG investigation team for necessary action.

Mr Abariga told the court that the accused in their respective caution statements admitted the offense and further stated that they entered the apartment about four months ago and have not purchased power credit since.

The case has been adjourned to August 27, 2022, for accused persons to reappear before the court.

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Illegal meter peddler arrested https://www.adomonline.com/illegal-meter-peddler-arrested/ Thu, 21 Jul 2022 12:44:59 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2140147 The police in Mamprobi have arrested Henry Teye Adjirackor, a technician, for illegally possessing, selling, and installing meters, and passing them off as meters from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The suspect was arrested after field-monitoring officers of the ECG from the Korle Bu District Office disconnected power to some users of the illegal meters. The customers upon interrogation named the suspect as the source of the meters. They claimed that the self-styled meter contractor sold the illegal meters to unsuspecting members of the public.

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Speaking to the media, the Korle Bu District Manager of the ECG, Solomon Tsawe, described the suspect as part of a syndicate whose modus operandi included duplicating existing meter details already installed for customers, printing a sheet and super imposing the information on the face of the illegal meters.

“These criminal acts do not only deny the ECG of the needed revenue from the service we provide but they also pose a safety risk to customers, since the quality and safety of these illegal meters have not been audited,” he said.

The Accra West General Manager of the ECG. Ebenezer Ghunney, admonished customers to deal directly with officers of the ECG in all meter-related service requests. “Anytime you make any official payment and an official ECG receipt is not issued to you, that should be your first sign that you are probably being defrauded or engaging in an illegality,” he added.

Mr Ghunney advised customers to contact any of the ECG offices to clear any doubts and seek clarity on issues.

The ECG has embarked on a nationwide campaign to reduce losses through a moratorium for customers who have engaged in illegal connections, or have faulty meters. Customers who do not receive bills and those who do not buy prepaid are also advised to report to the nearest ECG office for prompt action.

Police investigations are continuing to arrest other named members of this criminal syndicate.

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Showmax series Succession & The White Lotus lead Emmy Nominations https://www.adomonline.com/showmax-series-succession-the-white-lotus-lead-emmy-nominations/ Wed, 20 Jul 2022 10:20:47 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2139900 Showmax series Euphoria and Barry just behind with 16 and 14 nominations respectively

Content already on Showmax is up for 108 awards at the 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards.

The 15 nominated titles on Showmax include the most nominated show overall, Succession, as well as The White Lotus, which is tied in second place.

Showmax is also home to three of the Outstanding Drama nominees (EuphoriaSuccessionYellowjackets), three of the Outstanding Comedy nominees (BarryCurb Your Enthusiasm and What We Do In The Shadows, with a fourth coming soon in Hacks S2), and the most nominated Limited Series, The White Lotus.  

SUCCESSION S3 | Binge now, first on Showmax

The most nominated series overall at this year’s Emmy Awards, Succession follows four very rich siblings behaving very badly while trying to win their father’s approval – and control of his company, a global media and entertainment empire.

The third season of HBO’s hit drama series is up for 25 Emmys, including Outstanding Drama Series, Directing, Writing, Editing and Casting – all categories Season 2 won in 2020. 2020 Lead Actor winner Jeremy Strong is nominated again as Kendall Roy, as always competing with his on-screen father, Logan (Brian Cox). Almost the entire cast is up for Emmys this year, including Sarah Snook as Shiv, Kieran Culkin as Roman, Matthew Macfadyen as Tom, Nicholas Braun as Cousin Greg, and, for the first time, J. Smith Cameron as Gerri. S3 additions Adrien Brody, Alexander Skarsgård, Hope Davis and Sanaa Lathan all nabbed Guest Actor or Actress nominations, as did 2020 nominees Harriet Walter and James Cromwell, and, for the first time, Arian Moayed as Stewy.

Vanity Fair hails Succession as “the best showcase of performances on television”, adding, “There’s no other show that’s as dramatically compelling or twistedly funny… It’s hard not to reach for hyperbole when talking about how Succession makes the viewer feel, because the show utilizes its interpersonal drama—almost always, the relationship between a child and their father—to dig into the reach and power of big money, embodied in the show by the titanic and offensive personality of patriarch Logan Roy.”

THE WHITE LOTUS S1 | Binge now, first on Showmax

The most nominated Limited Series at this year’s Emmys, and jointly the second most nominated series overall, The White Lotus is set at an exclusive Hawaiian resort over one highly transformative week, gradually peeling back the glossy veneer of picture-perfect travelers, cheerful hotel employees, and the idyllic locale itself to reveal something far uglier beneath.​ 

HBO’s biting six-part series is up for 20 Emmys, including Outstanding Limited Series, Directing, Writing, Editing and Casting. First-time Emmy nominees Jennifer Coolidge, as the grieving guest, Tanya, and Murray Bartlett, as hotel manager Armond, are Gold Derby’s favourites to win the Supporting Actress and Actor category respectively, but they’re up against strong competition from their co-stars: five-time nominee Connie Britton (NashvilleFriday Night LightsAmerican Horror Story) and first-time acting nominees Alexandra Daddario, Jake Lacy, Natasha Rothwell, Steve Zahn, and Sydney Sweeney (who is also nominated in the Drama category for her role as Cassie in Euphoria). 

The Guardian hailed The White Lotus as “2021’s best, and most uncomfortable, show…” describing the comedy drama as a “scathing social satire” and “a ballsy take-no-prisoners state of the nation series.” As they say, “It might not be a relaxing vacation but it won’t be one you’ll forget any time soon…”

EUPHORIA S2 | Binge now, first on Showmax

As teen addict Rue, Zendaya became the Emmy’s youngest ever Outstanding Lead Actress in A Drama Series winner in 2020, when Euphoria also picked up Make Up and Original Music Emmys. 

Season 2 of HBO’s groundbreaking 18LSDVN teen series is up for 16 Emmys, including Outstanding Drama, Cinematography, Editing, and Casting. As expected, Zendaya is nominated again, while Sydney Sweeney is up for Supporting Actress as Cassie (and also in the Limited Series category for her role in The White Lotus). Colman Domingo is up for Guest Actor as Ali, her sponsor, and Martha Kelly is nominated for Guest Actress as drug dealer Laurie. 

Season 2 has an 82% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus hails it for being “as wilfully provocative as ever.” Mashable calls the show, “smart,” “spectacular”, “triumphant”, “stupefyingly bold” and “electrifying”, adding, “Euphoria‘s intoxicating blend of striking music, visuals, and supercharged feeling makes for a dream-like watch… Zendaya is at a career-best with a performance so dazzling they might as well engrave her trophies now.”

BARRY S3 | Binge now, first on Showmax 

Rotten Tomatoes’ Best Series of 2022 (So Far), Season 3 of Barry has just been nominated for 14 Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy, Directing, Cinematography, Editing, Casting and Stunt Coordination. 

Picking up six months after the Season 2 finale, in the aftermath of the monastery shootout, HBO’s hitman in Hollywood comedy starts with Sally filming her own show, NoHo Hank in love, and our favourite hitman, Barry, without an acting class to go to anymore. 

At the Emmys, co-creator Bill Hader is again nominated for Outstanding Leading Actor as Barry, having won in 2018 and 2019. He’s also again nominated for Directing and Writing Emmys this year. Henry Winkler earned his third Emmy nomination for Supporting Actor as Gene Cousineau, after winning in 2018. Winkler faces stiff competition this year from co-star Anthony Carrigan, nominated for the second time as fan favourite NoHo Hank. 

S3, which also sees Stephen Root and Sarah Goldberg return in their Emmy-nominated roles as Fuches and Sally, has a 100% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with The Daily Beast calling it, “the best show on TV”; Variety hailing it as “a masterpiece … funnier and sharper than ever… TV’s most fascinating protagonist”; and Entertainment Weekly writing, “I’ve never seen violence like the violence on Barry. HBO’s hitman comedy is a legitimate thrillfest, and the new season has three of the best action scenes I’ve ever seen.” 

YELLOWJACKETS S1 | Binge now

Yellowjackets follows the now-adult survivors of a plane crash that stranded their wildly talented high school girls’ soccer team deep in the Canadian wilderness in 1996.

The Showtime series is up for seven Emmys this year, including Outstanding Drama, Directing, Writing and Casting. As Shauna, Melanie Lynsky is up for her first Emmy as Outstanding Lead Actress, following wins at the 2022 Critics Choice and Critics Choice Super Awards, where Yellowjackets was also named Best Horror. As Misty, Christina Ricci is also up for a Supporting Actress Emmy. 

Equal parts survival epic, psychological horror story and coming-of-age drama, Yellowjackets has a 100% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where it was the fourth highest-rated drama of 2021. As The Guardian says, “Yellowjackets is the most fun TV show in forever.” (Although they clearly have a twisted sense of fun…). 

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS S3 | Binge now, first on Showmax

Based on the 2014 cult movie from the batty brains of nine-time Emmy nominee Jemaine Clement (Flight Of The Conchords) and Oscar winner Taika Waititi (Jojo RabbitThor: Ragnarok), What We Do in the Shadows follows four vampires who’ve “lived” together for hundreds of years – plenty of time to get on each other’s nerves. 

Season 3 of What We Do In The Shadows is up for seven Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy, Writing, Costumes and Stunt Co-ordination. 

As Decider says, “FX’s mockumentary series featuring the world’s dumbest vampires, What We Do In the Shadows, has been one of the best comedies on TV since it premiered in 2019. But Season 3 felt like the show’s breakout year, in part because of the internet’s affinity for the brilliant slow-burn relationship between Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak)—formerly a bloodthirsty leader, now a somewhat reluctant vampire going through a midlife crisis—and his human familiar, Guillermo de la Cruz (Harvey Guillén), formerly a soft-spoken servant, now a badass vampire slayer. It’s a season full of priceless, quotable moments.”

STATION ELEVEN | Binge now 

Named Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Series at the 2022 Critics Choice Super Awards, Station Eleven follows the scattered survivors of a devastating global pandemic as they attempt to rebuild the world anew and hold on to the best of what’s been lost.

Based on the Arthur C Clarke Award-winning 2014 novel by Emily St John Mandel, the dystopian sci-fi drama is up for seven Emmys, including Directing, Writing, Cinematography and Writing. As Jeevan, Himesh Patel (Don’t Look UpYesterday) is also up for his first Emmy, for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series. 

The 10-part HBO Max series has a 98% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and won Mackenzie Davis the Critics Choice Super Best Actress In A Science Fiction/Fantasy Award. Vogue hails Station Eleven as “haunting, gorgeously made, heartfelt, an end-of-the-world vision that lifts you up as much as it gives you nightmares… A dystopian series full of death and menace that threads in so much humanity and optimism that you want to be in its precarious world. I was gripped, cheered, and horrified.”

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM S11 | Binge now

Season 11 of HBO comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm is up for four Emmys: Outstanding Comedy, Casting, Sound Mixing and Guest Actor (Bill Hader, who is also up for Emmys this year for writing, directing and starring in Barry). This takes the show to over 50 Emmy nominations. 

Hader plays the triple role of Igor, Gregor and Timor but as always he’s just one of a number of celeb cameos this season, including Oscar nominees Albert Brooks and Woody Harrelson, Emmy winners Jon Hamm, Ted Danson and Tracey Ullman, and three-time Emmy nominee Kaley Cuoco. But as usual, the real star is Seinfeld co-creator Larry David being as hysterically inappropriate as ever. 

Season 11 has a 94% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As The Daily Beast says, “It’s reassuring to know that no amount of paradigm-shifting, reality-altering events can stop the fictional Larry David from being a smug, screamy, narcissistic loon, and the real Larry David from being the funniest comedian on television.” 

Prett-ay, prett-ay, prett-ay good, Larry…

INSECURE S5 | Binge now

Issa Rae received her third Outstanding Lead Actress: Comedy nomination from the Emmys for her role as Issa in Insecure. Although it was snubbed in the Outstanding Comedy category, the groundbreaking HBO series is also up for Cinematography and Editing Emmys this year, having won the Editing Emmy in 2020. Season 5 brings the groundbreaking series to end, so this will be Emmy voters’ last chance to give Rae the recognition she deserves for changing the TV landscape.

Season 5 has a 100% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus calls the show “a fully confident comedy with plenty left to say about friendship, love, and self-esteem.”

While fans will be gutted that Yvonne Orji (Molly) was overlooked in the Supporting Actress category, they can at least root for Natasha Rothwell (Kelli), who is up for her first Supporting Actress Emmy this year for her role as Belinda on Limited Series favourite The White Lotus

RAY DONOVAN: THE MOVIE | Stream now

Nominated for a 2022 Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie, Ray Donovan: The Movie picks up where the seventh and final season of the Emmy-winning series left off, with Mickey (Oscar winner Jon Voight) in the wind and Ray (eight-time Emmy nominee Liev Schreiber) determined to find and stop him before he can cause any more carnage. 

With multi-award winners Eddie Marsan (Wrath of Man, 21 Grams) and Dash Mihok (Silver Linings PlaybookRomeo + Juliet), Pooch Hall (The Game), and Katharine Moennig (The L Word) co-starring, the Showtime film also weaves together the present-day fallout from the Donovan/Sullivan feud with Ray and Mickey’s origin story from 30 years before. 

Prompted by fan protests at the show’s cancellation, Ray Donovan: The Movie has an 87% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with New York Magazine saying, “Ray Donovan: The Movie never feels like cheap fan service; it hints at what an entire eighth season could have been and provides just enough closure while avoiding easy conclusions for most of its characters.”

SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE S1 | Binge now 

Oscar Isaac (Moon KnightStar Wars’ Poe Dameron) is nominated as Outstanding Actor: Limited Series at the 2022 Emmys for his performance as Jonathan in Scenes From A Marriage. This is his first Emmy nomination. 

A remake of the iconic 1973 Swedish miniseries by legendary Swedish auteur Ingmar Bergman, the HBO drama co-stars Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark ThirtyThe HelpInterstellar) in an intimate examination of love, hatred, desire, monogamy, marriage and divorce, as seen through the eyes of a contemporary American couple.

Written and directed by Golden Globe-winning series creator Hagai Levi (In TreatmentThe Affair), the five-episode miniseries holds an 83% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with TV Guide calling it, “an acting tour de force… impossible to look away from even when it’s almost too difficult to watch.” 

OTHER NOMINEES ON SHOWMAX: 

Other nominees you can binge on Showmax include:

• HBO Max’s John Cena superhero series Peacemaker, which is up for Stunt Coordination 

• Season 2 of HBO’s televangelism comedy The Righteous Gemstones, which is up for Sound Editing

• HBO’s basketball drama Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, which is up for Cinematography

COMING SOON TO SHOWMAX:

Other nominees that will make their way to Showmax include: 

• Season 3 of HBO’s sketch comedy A Black Lady Sketch Show, which is up for five Emmys: Outstanding Variety Sketch Series, Directing, Writing, Editing, and Production Design. It will be ready to binge on Showmax from 1 August 2022

• Julian Fellowes’ HBO period drama The Gilded Age, which is up for a Production Design Emmy and will be on Showmax to binge from 1 August 2022

• The true crime series The Staircase, up for both Outstanding Actress (Toni Colette) and Actor (Colin Firth) in a Limited Series. You can binge it on Showmax from 1 September 2022

• George Carlin’s American Dream is up for five Emmys, including Documentary or Non-Fiction Special, Directing, and Editing, and will land on Showmax on 1 September 2022

• 100 Foot Wave, up for Outstanding Documentary or Non-Fiction Series and Cinematography. Date TBC. 

Showmax also has first seasons of Hacks, which has S2 up for 17 Emmys, including Best Comedy; The Flight Attendant, which has its S2 up for three Emmys, including Best Actress: Comedy for Kaley Cuoco; How To With John Wilson, which is up for Writing: Non-Fiction; B Positive, which is up for Cinematography; and Call Me Kat, which is up for Editing. Season 2 of Hacks, The Flight Attendant and How To With John Wilson are coming to Showmax soon.

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PURC receives 10,987 complaints against utility companies in 2021 https://www.adomonline.com/purc-receives-10987-complaints-against-utility-companies-in-2021/ Mon, 21 Mar 2022 10:00:50 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2093616 The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) received a total of 10,987 complaints throughout the country against power and water distribution companies in 2021 as against the 7,067 complaints received in 2020.

The Director, Regional Operations of the commission, Alhaji Jabaru Abukari, who disclosed this explained that 6,470, representing 58.89 per cent of the total complaints received were lodged against the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) while 2,995 (27.26 per cent) were lodged against Northern Electricity Department (NEDCo).

According to him, 6,343 complaints out of the 6,470 made against the ECG during the period were resolved while 2,854 out of the 2,995 complaints against NEDCo were also settled.

Alhaji Jabaru made these known to GraphicOnline on the sidelines of the Bono Regional Utility Stakeholders’ Dialogue in Sunyani on Friday.

The dialogue was part of measures to enable the PURC to share its success story in the three administrative regions of Bono, Bono East and Ahafo since the establishment of its office in Sunyani in 2019.

The occasion, which was attended by officials from NEDCo, GWCL, public and private institutions, assembly members as well as security agencies among others was also used to collect feedback from the public on the performance of the utility companies.

Alhaji Jabaru added that a total of 1,398 complaints were made against the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in 2021 out of which 1,280, representing 98.71 per cent were resolved.

He said under the PURC (Consumer Service) Regulation 2020, LI 2413, utility companies were allowed to lodge complaints against consumers.

Alhaji Jabaru said in the year under review, a total of 124 complaints were therefore lodged by the utility companies against some consumers.

Types of complaints

He said top on the lists of complaints lodged with the commission was on the quality of service which recorded 8,328 cases out of the 10,987.

The quality of service issues, he explained had to do with frequent power outages, phase-offs, voltage fluctuations and uncaptured Self-help Electrification Projects (SHEP) customers, no flow of water and pipe bursts and leakages among others.

Other complaints bordered on billing which involved issues such as overbilling, bulk billing and billing consumers based on estimates as well as faulty metering, unlawful disconnections and damage of property.

Awards

Alhaji Jabaru added that due to diligent investigations by the commission, the utility companies were made to pass credit adjustments to correct billing irregularities identified.

All accounts of complaints were credited with a total of GHC 5,778,379.00 while the commission also ensured that indebtedness to the utility companies amounting to GHC548 383.00 was paid.

Assault

For his part, the Executive Secretary of PURC, Dr Ishmael Ackah expressed concern about how some people assaulted staff of the utility companies when they had issues with their services.

He stated the doors of their commission were opened to receive such complaints and warned that such perpetrators would be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Bono Regional Manager of the PURC, Mr Patrick Antwi gave assurance that the PURC remained committed to the interests of both consumers and the utility services and asked them not to hesitate to reports issues for redress.

In a presentation on activities of the commission in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions, the Complaints Officer of the commission at the Bono Regional Office, Mr Isaac Osei Agyeman said a total of 2,664 complaints had been received since the office was established in 2019.

He said so far a total of GHC512,873.29 in the form of compensations, adjustments and recoveries had been paid as a result of the settlement of complaints by consumers by the office.

During the dialogue, the PURC ordered NEDCo to replace a rotten pole sited in the Asuakwaa Electoral Area, near Sunyani by March 30, 2022, following a complaint made by the Assemblyman, Mr Richard Damalie that his plea over the past two years had not been heeded to.

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Youth groups in Obuasi clash after boozing incident [video] https://www.adomonline.com/youth-groups-in-obuasi-clash-after-boozing-incident/ Mon, 11 Oct 2021 16:22:30 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2026911

Two youth groups from Tutuka and Gausu, all suburbs of Obuasi in the Ashanti region are said to have engaged in a brawl after a boozing incident, Sunday night.

According to residents of Gausu who witnessed the incident, the youth groups clashed after the drinking bazaar went deep into the night.

The fight resulted in the assault of some individuals who were going about their businesses at dawn, while properties were damaged including motorbikes and tricycles.

A resident informant said it was not the first time the rival youth groups have engaged in such a fight.

He is worried the police have done little to bring sanity to the mining community.

The Obuasi District Police commander, DSP Martin Asenso confirmed the incident on Nhyira FM’s ‘Kuro Yi Mu Nsem’ programme.

He added that no arrest has been made so far.

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Lady Jay releases ‘Social Media’ song against cyberbullying https://www.adomonline.com/lady-jay-releases-social-media-song-against-cyberbullying/ Mon, 28 Jun 2021 18:30:53 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=1979779 Singer Lady Jay says her experiences on social media which got her depressed played a key role in creating her new song dubbed Social Media.

In a interview, the soothing singer disclosed that she was brutally assaulted by her former manager, and when she lodged a complaint to the Ghana Police and subsequently the Ministry of Gender, her complaints were flatly disregarded.

Sharing the experience with tears in her eyes, the singer added that, she resorted to social media to vent out her troubles but she received numerous trolls which got her depressed.

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Recounting her ordeal, in a subsequent interview, Lady Jay stated that people who don’t know you, by just watching your social media they think they know everything about you.

She said she created the Social Media song to basically shine light on the fact that not everything on social media is necessarily real.

Aside the cyberbullying, Lady Jay was quick to add the often neglected advantage of social media, adding that “you can all be happy, we can laugh, we can enjoy watching other people’s videos, without the negativity.”


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Police foil bank robbery attempt https://www.adomonline.com/police-foil-bank-robbery-attempt/ Sat, 13 Feb 2021 19:29:06 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=1919604 In the wee hours of today, 13th February 2021, Police at Esiama foiled a robbery attempt at Ecobank, Esiama branch in the Western Region.

This was when they responded to a distress call to the effect that robbers, numbering about five, had attacked the bank.

The police proceeded to the scene where the robbers opened fire upon seeing the personnel, who returned fire, leading the robbers to flee into a nearby bush.

Police rescued a private security man of the bank and another who was on duty at an adjacent ECG office (names of the security men withheld).

Their hands had been tied behind them and legs also tied with ropes. Police picked one AK 47 assault rifle with tempered serial number and 28 rounds of live ammunition from the direction of the bush.

Other items retrieved included an industrial cutter, crowbar, screwdrivers, damaged padlocks and four BB spent shells.

Police observed, among others, that the armed robbers damaged the burglar proof and the glass door leading to the banking hall.

Although the robbers had access to the banking hall, they did not succeed in their operation due to the timely intervention of the Police.

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Meanwhile, a search has been mounted to arrest them and “we urge residents of Esiama and surrounding villages to report suspicious characters, especially those who present gunshot wounds to hospitals, clinics and herbalists for treatment.”

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Assist us fight crime – Police to Tamale residents https://www.adomonline.com/assist-us-fight-crime-police-to-tamale-residents/ Sun, 25 Nov 2018 12:18:11 +0000 http://35.232.176.128/ghana-news/?p=1502321 The Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer(PRO), DSP Mohammed Yusif Tanko has craved the indulgence of the general public to assist the police especially in the Northern region to carry out its mandate of fighting crime and ensuring public safety.
The Ghana Police Service has in recent times been in the news for the wrong reasons and according to the Police PRO, mostly their operations are sabotaged by the public because they don’t understand their work.
He made these remarks during a float by the Northern Regional Police Command to commence the national police week celebrations.
DSP Mohammed Yusif Tanko noted that, a better relationship between the service and the public will enable them get intelligence to fight crime.
Based on this backdrop, he said they have set aside some days to education the public on their role in police operations in ensuring safety, peace and security in communities.
“An improved Police-Public relation is very important and vital in the fight against crime, you must understand that the crimes take place in our neighborhoods and the best information and intelligence can only come from the public who live in these communities. An unfriendly relationship with these people will mean that we will get nowhere in our fight against crime” he added.
For his part, the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Timothy Yoosa Bonga admonished officers to be up and doing.
He said there is more room for improvement if officers are to win the confidence of the public.
According to him, it is imperative and non-negotiable for officers to display honesty, transparency, integrity and commitment in their duties and these he remarked, is the only way to win the confidence and trust of the public.
“The Public will support us if and when we change our attitude” he said.
DCOP Timothy Yoosa Bonga further charged officers to be reminded when in uniform that they are in the positions to serve as such they should desist from using their uniforms and positions to bully and intimidate others.
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Cobbler jailed seven years for assaulting ECG official https://www.adomonline.com/cobbler-jailed-seven-years-for-assaulting-ecg-official/ Sun, 25 Nov 2018 10:10:16 +0000 http://35.232.176.128/ghana-news/?p=1502181 A 35 year old cobbler has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the Juaso Circuit Court for assaulting an employee of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) who had gone to his house to read meter at Obogu in the Asante-Akim South Municipality.

Kwadwo Opoku who pleaded guilty to assault and causing unlawful damage, attacked the victim, Ofori Awuku, who had gone to the house to read the meter and submit the October 2018 electricity bill to him.

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Police Detective Chief Inspector Birikorang Peasah, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Mr. Yusif Assibey that the victim was a meter reader of the ECG stationed at Konongo.

He said on November 8, at about 1430 hours, the complainant was performing his routine duties of reading meters and distributing bills in various houses at Obogu.

The Prosecution said on reaching the house of the convict, complainant recorded the current reading of the meter and placed the October bill by the meter.

He said the convict removed the bill and tore it after which he chased the complainant who had proceeded to the next house.

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According to the Prosecution then convict attacked the metre reader without any provocation and snatched 200 copies of bills, 100 copies of reading sheets as well as a Techno S7 mobile phone and threw them on the ground.

Prosecution said the convict continued to assault the complainant who sought refuge at a nearby carpentry shop but the convict would not quit.

He then turned his attention to the shop owner who had opened a room for the complainant to hide in and battled with the carpenter to produce the complainant.

In the process, he caused extensive damage to three wardrobes and 40 bags of sachet water in the shop.

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He was however overpowered with the help of other witnesses and was driven out of the place.

Detective Inspector Peasah said the complainant who sustained injuries later reported the matter to the Obogu Police station where he was issued a medical report form to seek treatment.

Accused was later arrested where he admitted the offence in his cautioned statement.

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PHOTOS: Court sentences man for assaulting ECG staff https://www.adomonline.com/photos-court-sentences-man-assaulting-ecg-staff/ Thu, 16 Nov 2017 07:47:08 +0000 http://35.232.176.128/ghana-news/?p=671231 The Dzodze Magistrate Court, presided over by Mr Lawrence Buernor Buer, on November 13, 2017, sentenced a Primary 4 pupil teacher, Mac-Billy Ani, to fines for assaulting a technical staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and illegally tapping electricity.
The accused, Mac-Billy Ani, who pleaded guilty to both offences, was sentenced to a fine of GH¢ 1,200.00 for both offences or in default, serve twelve months in prison with hard labour.
The accused was also ordered to pay a compensation of GH¢ 2,000.00 to the complainant, Emmanuel Agbemadu. Additionally, the accused was ordered to sign a bond to be of good behaviour for twelve months.
While the compensation was to be paid immediately, the trial magistrate ordered the court fine to be paid on November 27, 2017.

The facts of the case as presented in court by the police prosecutor said, the accused, was caught in October by an ECG technician, for illegally connecting electricity to his home at Ehi-Biase Kpota in the Ketu North District of the Volta Region.
The Technician, Emmanuel Agbemadu, on one of his routine checks of customers’ premises, observed that Mac-Billy had illegally tapped supply from another customer because he had earlier been disconnected for non-payment of his electricity bill.
Emmanuel thus disconnected the illegal connection but before he left the premises, the accused arrived home and ordered him to re-fix the cables. In the ensuing confrontation, the suspect pounced on the complainant and punched him in the face several times.

According to the prosecution, it took the intervention of some neighbours to rescue the ECG staff from the grips of the Accused. With blood oozing profusely from Emmanuel’s nostrils and mouth, he made a report at the police station and later went to the hospital.
An assessment by the Loss Control Unit of the Electricity Company of Ghana in Ho confirmed that power was illegally tapped without recourse to the Company.
The accused, who initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, later changed his plea to guilty with an explanation. He explained that the complainant provoked him by first piercing him with his working tool.

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