Speaking at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo appealed to Ghanaians to vote massively for Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia and Eugene Arhin to continue the ongoing developmental projects across the country.

He emphasized, “The only person who can move Ghana forward is Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia. His vision and leadership are key to our continued progress.”

The President also appealed to Nananom (traditional leaders) and the people of Senya Bereku to vote for Eugene Arhin, describing him as “honest and truthful,” qualities that are essential for the future leadership of the constituency.

The NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Awutu Senya West, Eugene Arhin, also addressed the gathering, promising that under his leadership, the people of Awutu Senya West will experience massive development.

“Together with Dr. Bawumia, we will continue our development agenda for the benefit of all Ghanaians,” he stated.

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Eugene Arhin promised to build a modern market for the people of Awutu Bawjiase and revive the Bawjiase Market, contingent on a large turnout for him and Dr. Alhaji Bawumia in the upcoming election.

Addressing the people of Bawjiase, Arhin stated, “If you vote for me and the NPP, we will build a modern market that will bring economic opportunities to Bawjiase. We are committed to making sure that this community thrives.”

Additionally, Arhin pledged to provide free apprenticeships for unemployed youth in the constituency and introduce a work-and-pay policy for Okada riders.

He emphasized, “We will provide job opportunities for the youth, especially those who are interested in acquiring skills through apprenticeships. Okada riders will also benefit from a fair work-and-pay system to improve their livelihoods.”

Meanwhile, former MP for Awutu Senya West, George Andah, Sammy Awuku, and Professor Kobina Essibu also urged Ghanaians to support the NPP.

“Do not make the mistake of voting for the NDC. We must vote massively for the NPP to protect the Free SHS policy and other vital social intervention programs,” they stressed.

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Awutu Senya West NDC Communications Officer, Cassious Larbi and two others were remanded into police custody by the Awutu Bereku District Court.

They were accused of threatening to attack a man who tried to prevent them from damaging the DRIP machines.

Police sources indicate that the suspects not only destroyed posters of Vice President Alhaji Bawumia and Eugene Arhin on the DRIP machines but also attempted to remove the machines’ driving mirrors.

They allegedly threatened to kill the witness who caught them in the act.

The suspects have been remanded into police custody and are set to reappear in court on Monday.

During a press conference, Awutu Senya West NPP Constituency Communications Director Ephraim Fiifi Aidoo clarified that the suspects were not remanded for removing the posters.

Instead, they were detained for threatening behavior and attempting to destroy the machines.

Mr Aidoo also urged NDC members to stop attributing their actions to Eugene Arhin and DCE Moses Arhinful.

In addition, Awutu Senya West NPP Constituency Chairman, Roland Paul Aidoo called on NDC members to refrain from creating insecurity in the constituency.

DCE for Awutu Senya West, Moses Arhinful, also appealed to the NDC to stop spreading falsehoods against him and damaging his reputation.

Source: Kofi Adjei

In an interview with Adom News, Mr. Arhin encouraged NPP sympathizers and constituency executives to take their campaign to homes, churches, mosques, and other community spaces to promote the party’s accomplishments.

“The NPP government has done a lot both at the national and constituency levels. It’s time for party members to work even harder to retain power and continue the Free SHS policy,” he said.

Mr. Arhin made these remarks after filing his nomination forms at the Electoral Commission’s office.

He stressed the need to highlight the successes of the NPP and counter the opposition’s promises.

“We must make Ghanaians see the difference between voting for the NPP and what I call the ‘Nkokobuo Nketenke’ policy,” he added.

Mr. Arhin’s call to action aims to motivate NPP members to rally behind the party’s mission to stay in power and continue its development agenda for the nation.

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This project forms part of the government’s infrastructure development for the fishing industry.

Eugene Arhin disclosed the completion of the project in a Facebook post on Tuesday, September 10, highlighting that the harbour is equipped with modern facilities to support the fishing industry.

The harbour includes cold storage units, processing facilities, a net mending bay, and administrative offices.

These additions are expected to enhance productivity for fishermen and fishmongers in the area, providing them with better tools for preserving and processing their catch.

According to Mr. Arhin, the project was initiated as part of the government’s broader agenda to improve the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry, while also promoting economic growth in coastal communities.

The fishing harbour is expected to serve as a vital hub for the fishing economy, creating jobs and boosting local businesses in the Jamestown area.

The commissioning of the Jamestown Fishing Harbour will be led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who will officially open the facility to the public.

“Jamestown Fishing Harbour completed; and will be commissioned on Friday by President Akufo-Addo,” he posted.

This development is seen as a fulfillment of the government’s promise to provide modern infrastructure to support the fishing sector, a crucial industry in Ghana’s coastal regions.

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Mr Arhin, a key figure within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), submitted his documents to the party’s constituency office amidst much anticipation on Monday, September 9.

His entry into the race has sparked significant interest among the party faithful and political observers, given his strong ties to the central government and his extensive experience in public service.

In a brief address to supporters and party executives after filing his nomination, Mr Arhin expressed his commitment to serving the people of Awutu Senya West.

He highlighted his intention to focus on development projects, education, and improving infrastructure within the constituency.

According to Mr Arhin, his vision is to uplift the standard of living of the people through effective leadership and collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the region.

His candidacy has garnered the support of several party members, with some describing him as the ideal candidate to reclaim the seat for the NPP.

The Awutu Senya West constituency, traditionally a swing seat, has seen intense competition between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in previous elections.

Mr Arhin’s political allies believe that his experience and prominence in government will give the party an edge in the upcoming election.

However, Arhin is expected to face stiff competition both from within from the opposition NDC’s Gizella Tetteh.

With his nomination successfully filed, Eugene Arhin is poised to embark on an aggressive campaign to secure both the party’s nomination and, ultimately, victory in the parliamentary election.

His bid for the Awutu Senya West seat signals his growing influence.

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According to him, the 2024 election is crucial for the future, and Ghanaians should carefully consider the manifestos of the political parties to make the right decisions.

“This election is about our future, and we know what every political party has said in their manifestos. Do you prefer Free SHS or a 24-hour nightclub? Make the right decision, and you won’t regret it,” he said.

He expressed confidence that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will become the President and that he himself will be elected as the Member of Parliament for the constituency, considering the developmental works undertaken.

Eugene Arhin made these remarks at the 2024 Annual Awutu Festival.

Source: Kofi Adjei

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Speaking at the inauguration of the Awutu Senya West Constituency Campaign Team, Eugene Arhin stated that the only way to reclaim the Awutu Senya West seat for the NPP is through unity and togetherness.

In an interview with Adom News, Eugene Arhin called for all hands on deck and expressed his readiness to work with everyone to win the election.

He assured that, he would do everything possible to support the campaign team to win the seat at all costs, in order to save Awutu Senya West and develop the constituency.

Meanwhile, Central Regional Secretary of the NPP, Richard Takyi Mensah urged Ghanaians to vote massively against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer and their MPs, claiming they lack vision for Ghanaians.

He criticized the NDC for not providing any policies to Ghanaians with only four months to the general election.

Also, the current DCE and former DCEs for Awutu Senya West called on NPP supporters to campaign on issues and promote the good work of the NPP to Ghanaians, while avoiding the politics of insult.

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Commissioning a newly-paved lorry station at Bawjiase in the area, he recounted that the NPP constructed a mini market at Bawjiase and had paved the lorry station to sanitise the area for drivers, commuters and shop operators.

He enumerated some other projects undertaken by the NPP such as the construction of the Bawjiase-Swedru road, Bawjiase-Adeiso road, Akoti-Senya road and the Bawjiase to Kasoa road which is expected to be completed in September.

Mr Arhin said he had personally constructed a 100-seater library and an ICT centre at Bereku, sunk a mechanised borehole and purchased a bus for Senya Senior High School (SHS), built two sheds and purchased three outboard motors for fisher-folks at Senya Bereku.

The rest include securing permanent jobs for some 450 persons, construction of an AstroTurf at Senya Bereku and Bawjiase, a mechanised borehole for Obrachire SHS and a 3-unit classroom block at Obodakaba.

He debunked claims that the projects he funded and the dual carriageway road from Kasoa to Winneba were being funded by the Assembly’s Common Fund and ECOWAS respectively.

He appealed to voters to vote based on development in their areas come December 7, 2024.

Mr Arhin promised to construct a modern market at the Bawjiase main market, “If you vote for me and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, I promise to build the market for you. Currently, we are building that of Bereku, and the moment it is done, the Bawjiase market is next,” he assured.

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In a statement announcing the full release of the report, Mr Arhin said the President under Section 5 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, had the privilege not to disclose the report but chose to waive this right.

However, the President was driven by a commitment to full transparency, openness, and honesty with the public.

“However, the President, in the interest of full transparency in governance, openness, and honesty with the public, has decided to waive the privilege under section 5 of the RTI Act and has directed the publication of the KPMG report in full,” an excerpt of the statement said.

The release follows demands by a section of Ghanaians including civil society organisations after the Presidency refused an RTI request by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), seeking the full KPMG audit report.

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This is to ease the plight of drivers and traders who have long endured challenging conditions due to the station’s muddy and dusty nature during rainy and dry seasons.

In an interview with Adom News, Eugene Arhin said he was touched after witnessing the plight of drivers and traders.

He has therefore pledged to transform the landscape of the Awutu Senya West Constituency through comprehensive development initiatives.

The District Chief Executive of Awutu Senya West, Moses Arhinful Acquah, clarified that the project is solely funded from Eugene Arhin’s resources and not from the Common Fund as it is being alleged by some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Regardless, several drivers at the Bawjiase Lorry Station have lauded Eugene Arhin for his timely intervention.

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In an interview with Adom News, he disclosed his target is to register 5,000 people to save lives in the constituency and promote quality healthcare.

Mr Arhin who is the Director of Communications at the Presidency said data available to NHIS office indicates that, majority of the constituents are not on the scheme.

He indicated that, the membership of others are also not active due to the lack of money for renewal.

The constituents who have benefitted from the kind gesture lauded Mr. Arhin for his support.

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Director of Communications at the Presidency Eugene Arhin, who is also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Awutu Senya West has paid the medicals bills of the victims.

Over 300 people were participating in the exercise at about 8:pm on Tuesday when the unfortunate incident happened.

The victims including children are receiving treatment at Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital while the rest are undergoing traditional medicine treatment.

In an interview with Adom News, Mr Arhin said he will meet with traditional authorities to end night jogging.

Some parents of the victims also received between GH₵500 to GH₵1000 amidst promise to cater for their surgeries if necessary.

Meanwhile, some beneficiaries expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mr Arhin.

Mr Arhin will be contesting in the Awutu Senya West Constituency in the Central Region.

Speaking to Adom News, Eugene Arhin pledged a decent campaign ahead of the primaries.

Mr Arhin charged delegates in the constituency to vote for him in the upcoming primaries as well as the general election.

He also promised massive development in the area when he wins the December 7, 2024, election.

Mr Arhin also called on the incumbent MP on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Gizella Tetteh, to park her things since she has failed to develop the constituency.

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Eugene Arhin says the reports came to him as a surprise because he did not hear anything.

“I didn’t hear anything. Even the president himself didn’t hear anything too. Some of us were a little bit taken aback when we saw that in the media,” he defended in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM.

Viral social media video captured moments President Akufo-Addo and his entourage were booed on Monday while on their way to the Kumasi Central market.

The group, comprising market women, hawkers and artisans, did not hesitate to express their displeasure at the entourage by hooting at them.

The action of the traders has been interpreted by many as a display of their frustrations over the prevailing economic hardship.

But Mr Arhin believes the traders were going about their own thing just like it happened at the Global Citizens Festival in September.

“It is just like, probably, what happened during the Global Citizen festival. A group of people standing somewhere doing their own thing, and they record but meanwhile, once you are in front there, you literally don’t hear anything,” he said.

Meanwhile, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, the Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, who believes the act is becoming one too many, has appealed to Ghanaians to stop.

He said there are more appropriate ways through which the citizenry can vent their anger to make their concerns known instead of frequently hooting at the President.

According to him, these are major repair works which are long overdue and need to be done.

This comes after North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, questioned why the jet was flown non-stop to France for a flight time of over six hours contrary to claims that the aircraft is unable to fly long haul.

The lawmaker in a Facebook post indicated the flight happened days before the visit of President Akufo-Addo to the Netherlands and France.

Reacting to the concerns, Mr Arhin admitted the jet was flown out on August 30 but with the crew made up of pilots from the Ghana Air Force.

In a Facebook post, he disclosed the Air Force has indicated that the Presidential Jet will be out of service for a total of four months, and will return to Ghana and be available for use in December.

To Mr Arhin, Mr Ablakwa’s constant scrutiny of the presidential jet and President Akufo-Addo’s trips is mere propaganda.

He has, therefore, stated: “I will urge Hon Ablakwa to minimise his penchant for engaging in propaganda regarding the Presidential Jet, to avoid further embarrassments to his person.”

The Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, in May 2022 announced the jet will undergo major repair works, hence President Akufo-Addo may be compelled to use commercial flights for all his foreign travels.

 He noted it would be flown to France, where it will be until at least October 2022.

However, it is not clear what has occasioned the delay in the repair works.

President Akufo-Addo, over the weekend during his tour of the Central Region, backed Mr Arhin’s dream of becoming the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Awutu Senya West constituency.

The President said he is confident the Director of Communications at the Presidency “will do a very good job.”

“It is public knowledge that he has the intention of contesting on the ticket of the NPP in 2024. If he is successful in the NPP primaries, nananom, I am confident that he will do a very good job as an MP for you. I appeal to all of you to support him if and when that time comes,” he stated. 

Some political analysts including Political Science lecturer, Prof Ransford Gyampo, have slammed the President for his comment describing his conduct as lawless.

Professor Gyampo has asked the NPP General Secretary to rein in the President, saying the President’s defiance of party laws is worrying and must be called to order immediately by the leadership of the party.

“Respectfully, Mr President, I cannot mince words. I think you are being lawless; I am sorry, to put it bluntly. You were part of your Party’s National Executive Committee Meeting that approved the Party’s Code of Conduct. You are giving an unfair advantage to Eugene Arhin, knowing very well that Parliamentary Primaries for the area haven’t been held,” he said.

But in an interview on Peace FM, Mr Kodua, reacting to the calls on him to call the President to order, said he [Akufo-Addo did not flout any party directive.

“In my own opinion, what President Akufo-Addo said has nothing to do with breaching of party conduct… we should all understand that nobody is above the law in the NPP,” he said.

Mr Arhin is a native of the Awutu Senya area and has been linked to nursing an interest in the parliamentary seat.

The parliamentary seat is currently being occupied by Gizzella Tetteh Agbotui of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Madam Agbotui ousted George Nenyi Andah of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2020 election after Mr Andah held it from January 2017 to January 2021 for the NPP.

Mr Andah himself had earlier taken the seat from madam Agbotui’s sister, Hannah S. Tetteh of the NDC.

Graphic Online reports that President Akufo-Addo severally introduced Mr Arhin as a dynamic son of the area.

He pointed out that already, Mr Arhin has been lobbying and influencing him [President] for a lot of infrastructural projects in the area.

Eugene Arhin T-shirts

Our correspondent reports that many NPP members who followed along the tour wore Eugene Arhin T-shirts.

At the sod-cutting for the commencement of work on the Bawjiase-Kasoa road, President Akufo-Addo said Mr Arhin has been instrumental in getting the project started.

Also inaugurating the Appeb Gas Cylinder Manufacturing company at Chochoe as well as during his courtesy call on the Omanhen of Awutu, President Akufo-Addo reiterated Mr Arhin’s efforts for the development of the constituency and called for support for him.

At the ceremony at Appeb, President Akufo-Addo said in honour of Haruna Esseku, a one time chairman of the NPP, he had instructed for the commencement of work on the Akotsi-Junction-Senya Breku road.

“As you know one of your very own, a Director of Communications at the presidency, Eugene Arhin, has done a very good job in lobbying persistently for the road to be constructed just as he did for the Kasoa-Bawjiase road as I assure you it would be completed before 2024,” he stated.

He said it was public knowledge now that Mr Arhin had intentions of contesting on the ticket of the NPP in 2024 if he was successful.

If Mr Arhin is successful at the NPP primary, President Akufo-Addo said he was confident that he would do an excellent job as Member of Parliament and appealed to the chiefs and communities to vote and support him.

“Indeed, one may be tempted to ask just what benefit our nation has derived from Hon. Ablakwa’s foreign trips as Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, ostensibly, to ‘inspect’ Ghana’s Foreign Missions?” the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, said in the statement.

His comment was in response to the recent Twitter post by the North Tongu MP concerning details of President Akufo-Addo’s travel to Belgium and then on to Kigali, Rwanda.

Mr Ablakwa on Thursday, June 23 accused President Akufo-Addo of spending €480,000.00 on his recent trip to Belgium and Kigali for a Pan-African Vaccine Manufacturing Project.

Although the Office of the President had denied these claims in a statement, the North Tongu MP said there cannot be any “justification whatsoever for the grave insensitivity of President Akufo-Addo.”

But replying to this in a new statement, the Presidency stated that the travels of the President have been of immense benefit to the country, unlike those embarked on by Mr Ablakwa.

Concerning the President’s recent trip to Belgium and on to Rwanda, the Presidency noted that the trip has secured Ghana the financial assistance from the European Investment Bank for both the establishment of the Development Bank and the construction of a vaccine manufacturing plant in Ghana.

“It is noteworthy that the country’s search for a solution for the perennial lack of long-term financing for the private sector in Ghana has been going on for the better part of the 4th Republic, and it is through the President’s efforts that we now have a vehicle and the means to provide it in Ghana.

“Is Hon. Ablakwa suggesting that the construction of a vaccine manufacturing plant is not essential to the development of Ghana? It seems that he, to quote President Kufuor, knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing,” the Presidency stated.

It added that aside from the financial benefits of the President’s travels, the country has benefited from other bilateral and multilateral projects including the Year of Return initiative and the location of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Accra.

“But, of course, that is an inconvenient truth for the likes of Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. It is, therefore, unfortunate that Hon. Ablakwa would throw out such a cheap shot as that the President flies around for the purpose of ‘meet me there’.

“That kind of language, with respect, cheapens any discourse on these matters. The President’s so-called ‘meet-me-there’ has brought the entire US Congressional Black Caucus and the Speaker of the US Congress to Ghana, in turn motivating Africans in the Diaspora to come to Ghana, where some have decided to make our country their second home.

“It has brought the first Google Artificial Intelligence Centre in Africa to Ghana, which is partnering 84 young Ghanaian start-ups, being run by young entrepreneurs. It has also brought the Twitter HQ in Africa to Ghana; it has brought Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan, Sinotruk Assembly Plants to Ghana, with Isuzu soon to follow,” the Presidency listed.

The Presidency in the statement further expressed its disappointment in the Former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs’ inability to appreciate the importance of the President’s travels.

“Stranger still is the clear impression I get that Hon. Ablakwa does not seem to know that a key part of the President’s job is to travel and engage in economic and political diplomacy, and to project the image of the country abroad, in order to maximise its investment potential. Sad that, as a former Deputy Minister and current MP, he does not appear to appreciate this.

“I am confident that the people of Ghana do. Presidential jets are not meant to provide Presidents with luxurious lifestyles, but to afford them the means to carry out effectively all the tasks of the modern President,” the Presidency stated.

“Government is already in the process of acquiring a bigger jet for use,” he said at a press briefing at the Jubilee House on Monday.

Mr Arhin was answering a question on whether the government intended buying a bigger aircraft to accommodate the President and his entourage on official foreign trips as the current presidential jet had proven inadequate for the purpose.

He explained that the move to get a bigger fit-for-purpose aircraft was part of a cost-saving measure on the travels of the President and other key state functionaries.

Mr Arhin did not give the specifics of the aircraft deal but said the Defence Minister would shed light on the development at the appropriate time.

The President’s foreign travels have generated discussions on the airwaves and on social media lately, with some Ghanaians asking why the President has to fly in hired private aircrafts when the country owned a functional presidential jet.

But the Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, told Parliament that the configuration of the current Presidential jet, a falcon 900EX purchased during the era of former President John Kufuor, did not meet the travel needs and security of the President.

“This aircraft will carry a load of 11 persons minus the crew. When this aircraft is travelling to the eastern part of the USA or Asia, it will not load a crew of more than eight plus the luggage. So it depends on where it is going. 

“Secondly, I have also said the aircraft has to do refuelling stops, and also in this COVID-19, when you are travelling to multiple destinations like the president’s recent travel, the Falcon couldn’t have been taken because he would have had to do technical stops which are not desirable, and when he is travelling with more than 20 people like he has been doing for business trips that brought huge sums of money for this country, he will need more than just a Falcon, otherwise, the others would have to go a day ahead before the president to prepare themselves,” he said.

Former President Kufuor before leaving office in 2008, made provisions for the procurement of two aircrafts for the Ghana Air Force, which included a larger jet for use by the President and his delegation on state travels. But the deal was, however, abrogated by the Mills administration.

According to the Defence Minister, if that arrangement had been held, that bigger aircraft would have been deployed for the strategic lifting of troops and could be reconfigured into a presidential jet for the president’s travels to save the country the huge amounts spent for delegation who travelled ahead of the president. 

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He told a private radio station in Accra that since the cancellation of the deal for the acquisition of the bigger aircraft by the Mills administration, the country had spent in excess of USD 50 million on official trips of the government.

Touching on the issues arising from the appointment of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies Chief Executives (MMDCEs), Mr Arhin dismissed the allegation that some of the MMDCE’s nominated by the President were not originally shortlisted for those positions.

He said the claim by some civil society organisations that about 44 per cent of the MMDCEs were not recommended by the three-member committee that vetted their nominations, and 10 per cent of the nominees did not apply for the positions, was false.

The Communications Director stated that those allegations were based on a supposedly leaked report on the nominees shortlisted for the MMDCE positions. 

“I can say on authority that that report was not the report that was submitted to the President,” he said, adding that the President was not bound by any law to resort to any report to hire or fire his appointees.

“He is not bound by the recommendations of any report. He decides what he has to do,” he said, stating emphatically that the President was satisfied with his appointments and unruffled by the threats that some of his appointees would not secure the two-thirds majority votes to gain approval of their local assemblies.

“It is a human institution so we expect that there would definitely be agitations. If at the end of the day, voting is conducted and a nominee is rejected, the President can renominate that person on two occasions.

“If on all the two occasions that person is rejected, the Constitution gives him the power to present somebody else. Agitation is a normal phenomenon of human life,” he said.

Mr Arhin also indicated that President Akufo-Addo had begun a process to assess the work programme of his ministers for the rest of 2021.

He explained that the consultative meeting with the Ministers will ensure they were in tune with the President’s agenda for his second term in government.

Mr Arhin said the President was scheduled to embark on a week’s tour of the Eastern and Ashanti Regions from Friday, October 1, 2021.

Mr Arhin’s demand stems from what he said were claims made in a statement by the TUC Secretary, Dr Yaw Baah, that the duo had already been paid salaries as recommended by the Prof Ntiamoa-Baidu Emoluments Committee. 

“Salary arrears dated back to January 2017 have since been paid to the wives of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia, in accordance with the [Ntiamoa-Baidu] Committee’s recommendation which was approved by the National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party Members of Parliament in January 2021,” part of the TUC statement read.

Reacting to the development in a Facebook post, Mr Arhin said Dr Baah was wrong as no such salary arrears had been paid.

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Read the post below:

It follows the decision of the Divorce and Matrimonial Court, presided over by High Court Judge, Justice Cecilia Don-Chebe Agbevey, to dissolve the marriage on 28th April 2021.

A copy of the judgment in the possession of DGN Online, shows that Miss Assan failed to prove the allegation of adultery she levelled against the Director of Communications at the Office of the President.

It would be recalled that one of the allegations she levelled was that “the Respondent (Eugene Arhin) has committed and continues to commit adultery with one Chantel Kudjawu also known as Gertrude Gbajo.”

This allegation was vehemently denied by Mr Arhin who put Miss Assan to strict proof.

With Mr Arhin having denied the allegation in his response to the Petition, the onus, according to the Court, was on the Petitioner (Gloria) to lead cogent and credible evidence of her assertion.

In her ruling, Justice Agbevey cited the case of ZABRAMA V. SEGBEDZI [1991] 2GLR, 221, where the Court of Appeal per Kpegah JA (as he then was) held that: “a person who makes an averment or assertion, which is denied by his opponent has the burden to establish that his averment or assertion is true. And, he does not discharge this burden unless he leads admissible and credible evidence from which the fact or facts he asserts can properly and safely be inferred. The nature of each averment or assertion determines the degree and nature of that burden.”

She also cited the case of ADJETEY V. ADJETEY (1973) 1 GLR 216, where the Court held that: “Direct evidence of adultery is rare. In nearly every case, the fact of adultery is inferred from the circumstances which by fair and necessary inference lead to that conclusion. There must be proof of disposition and opportunity for committing adultery but the conjunction of strong inclination with evidence of opportunity will not lead to an irrefutable presumption that adultery has been committed. Likewise, the Court was not bound to infer adultery from evidence of opportunity alone.”

She, therefore, noted that “the Petitioner (Gloria) merely repeated her pleadings, and thereby failed woefully to adduce evidence of circumstances that would have enabled the Court to make the necessary inference to the effect that the Respondent (Eugene Arhin) committed adultery. Thus, I am unable to find that the Respondent (Eugene Arhin) committed adultery.”

Many at the time believed that the use of the name ‘Chantel Kudjawu or Getrude Gbajo’ by Miss Assan was to achieve a certain effect and court public disaffection against Mr Arhin within the circles of the New Patriotic Party.

With Mr Arhin and Miss Assan both admitting that “several attempts by family and friends to reconcile their differences were not successful”, Justice Agbevey was satisfied that “the marriage has broken down beyond reconciliation.”

The Justice of the High Court, therefore, cancelled their marriage certificate with license number AMA/017/2013, with a copy of the divorce certificate served on the Registrar of Marriages for the amendment of records.

Meanwhile, the Court has asked Miss Assan to keep custody of the children of the marriage in a manner that they would live with her.

It, however, gave Mr Arhin the right to visit the children at all times subject to giving Miss Assan a reasonable notice of not less than two hours before the visit so as to prepare the children.

He would also have the opportunity to pick the children to his home when they close from school every Friday at 3:pm and return them to the school at 7:30 am if it is a school-going time.

That in the event he travels out of the jurisdiction or is unable to pick the children, he would give notice of his unavailability to enable her pick the children from school.

The two have also decided that vacations and other holidays be equally shared between the parties and that where they are unable to agree to the sharing, a rotational system shall set in such that the children shall spend vacations or holidays on a rotational basis with each party.

They have also decided that the monthly maintenance or upkeep cost of the children shall be a sum of GHc₵6,000 which would be shared between the two with the woman bearing 40% and 60% by the man.

Mr Arhin has, however, agreed to bear the educational and health or medical cost of the children and to enroll the children on a reputable health insurance scheme with an agreement to make all payments into her bank account.

She has, however, agreed to be responsible for the maintenance and payment of utility bills of the property settled in her favour, which includes the five-bedroom uncompleted house situated at the Kpone Katamanso district and vehicles with registration numbers GE 4646-18, GE 7108-18 and GE 4646-19.

The court has also asked Mr Arhin to pay the woman a lump sum settlement of GH₵100,000.00.

In her petition, Miss Assan among others asked for custody of the three children with access to their father.

She also demanded that the five-bedroom house in question be settled in her favour alongside the three vehicles and a sum of GH₵2 million as compensation and an order for her estranged husband to maintain the children and also pay their school fees and medical bills.

According to him, President Akufo-Addo has neither made any such list nor has the same been submitted to Parliament.

He made the clarification in a Facebook post, describing the list as completely fake.

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Attached to Mr Arhin’s post was a link to a story that had Rev Ntim Fordjour, NPP Ashanti regional secretary, Sam Pyne, Charles Adu Boahen, Kwaku Kwarteng among others as the deputy nominees.

Read his post below:

This was after she posted a photo which featured Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin.

The photo saw her rock a white top on blue jeans with slippers coupled with her blonde weavon.

Mr Arhin, on the other hand, wore a blue-black Kaftan as the two give off their beautiful smiles.

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She took to her Facebook page to share the photo which has seen fans and followers express massive love for them.

The singer in her caption indicated Mr Arhin was a family member she never knew of.

“I didn’t know he was my family member. My family is proud of you for working hard for the President of the Republic of Ghana. We will surely honour you. Eugene Arhin Noko pressure,” she wrote.

In an Instagram post, he disclosed that Mr Arhin and others, including the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microfinance and Small Loans Centre, Afia Akoto, catered for his hotel and other bills.

“I’m very grateful, God bless you all,” he said.

Don Little was among persons stranded abroad due to the Covid-19 border closure.

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Although the government made provision for such persons to be evacuated, Don Little was unable to return because he could not meet the requirements accompanying the evacuation.

Evacuees were expected to pay for the cost of evacuation including hotel bills for the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

However, Don Little, who indicated in a video that he would not be able to meet the requirements, appealed to the President to do something about the situation and got the needed help.

“Thank you so much Mr Eugene Arhin and Madam Afia Akoto, Deputy CEO of MASLOC,” he captioned his post on Instagram.