Hollywood actors who are Ghanaians by birth

Peter Mensah

You possible may know of names like Idris Elba, Ama Busia, or Boris Kodjoe, as great Ghanaian talents who are doing so well in Hollywood. However, there are some we dare hazard many Ghanaians don’t know about them and or their exploits in Hollywood – though one might have seen them in some popular Hollywood movies before.

Presspeep.com chanced on names of some notable Hollywood actors who are actually Ghanaians by birth/ancestry. They have relocated but their root is in Ghana. Read about them:

Peter Mensah

Well for those of you who might not know him, he’s the messenger in the movie, “300” who was thrown into the well by the Spartan King after delivering his message. He’s also starred in the series ‘Spartacus’ as the eldest slave in the house of Bartiatis. Aside that, he’s featured in many high budget Hollywood movies such as, Tears of the Sun, Hidalgo, Dead Space and Starz. He’s a Ghanaian born in the UK.

Frema Agyemang

Frema is a Ghanaian born in the UK, who played the role of Martha Jones in the BBC science fiction series, Doctor Who and Touch Wood.

Born in the Woodberry Down section of London, England, on March 20, 1979, Freema Agyeman is the daughter of an Iranian mother, Azar, and a Ghanaian father, Osei Agyeman. Growing up with an older sister, Leila, and younger brother, Dominic, she was initially interested in science as a child.

It wasn’t until her late teens that she developed an interest in acting. Although the product of a Muslim mother and Methodist father, Agyeman grew up attending Roman Catholic schools. She also studied at the Anna Scher Theatre School, and graduated with a degree in performing arts and drama from Middlesex University.

When she started acting professionally, Agyeman initially used the spelling “Frema” for her first name to make it easier for casting directors to pronounce. After a series of small guest roles on television, she got a break when she was cast as Lola Wise on the popular soap opera Crossroads.

She continued doing TV guest appearances and independent film work, including the role of a crime officer in the movie Rulers and Dealers, written and directed by Stephen Lloyd Jackson.

Agyeman is trained in martial arts and did a bit of modeling when she was starting out as an actress. She remains close to her family, who continues to inspire her, and has an upper arm tattoo of the Persian word “raha,” which means “free.” She has also endorsed Divine Chocolate, a company that supports fair trade practices with Ghanaian cocoa farmers.

Phanuel Nana Gbewonyo

Phanuel Nana Gbewonyo, born in 1980 in Accra is a Ghanaian who left the shores of the country at the age of three, nationalized as an American and ended up starring in the hit movie “Gran Torino” and “Coach Carter”. He’s a good basketball player who played for his school when he was in high school. Gbewonyo played high school basketball at Kennedy High.

He began his college career at College of the Canyons (Calif.), where he earned All-Western State Conference honors and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player as a sophomore in the 2000-01 season. He averaged 21 points and eight rebounds that season.

So how did a good basketball player end up as an actor? For him, it came as a surprise. After his last HSU basketball game, an agent Gbewonyo had met in California tried to call him. The agent reached Zavier Lewis, a senior education major, and explained that the director of an upcoming movie called ‘Coach Carter’ was looking for a young male to act the part of a teenage basketball player.

The agent asked Lewis to help him reach Gbewonyo and see if he wanted the part. Soon Gbewonyo was on a plane back to his home state, where he filmed the movie. Since then, he’s starred in many other movies, “Gran Torino” being one of them.

Kwesi Boakye

Meet 10-year-old Kwesi Boakye, Hollywood’s latest sensation. Already a veteran actor with an ever-growing resume and roles in several features including Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” staring Academy Award nominee Taraji Henson.

He began his career in television commercials at just 10-months-old staring in a video for pre-school kids called “Tots on Tape”. A modeling gig in the worldwide Baby Gap campaign followed and it wasn’t long before Kwesi snagged his first casting role on the medical drama “Strong Medicine”.

Since then, he has appeared in a string of prominent television shows such as “Boston Legal”, “South Park”, “Daybreak” with Taye Diggs and the Daytime Soap Opera “Days of Our Lives”. He can also be seen as a series regular on the new Cartoon Network animated series “Gumball” voicing the character role of Darwin. He also voiced Andrew on the animated series “Special Agent Oso” although his most notable voice-over role was in the Oscar winning flick, “Happy Feet”. He is a Ghanaian born in America.

Sam Sarpong (late)

Sam is a Ghanaian born in the UK, an actor, producer, rapper and a model. Some of his film works include the Warner Brother comedy with Nick Cannon and Christina Milian “Love Don’t Cost a Thing”, the Gary Marshall comedy “Keeping Up with the Steins” with Jeremy Pivens and Darryl Hannah, and the Spike Lee drama “Sucker Free City” with Anthony Mackie and Omari Hardwick. Sam has also guest starred on such shows as “ER”, “The District”, “Boston Public”, “Navy NCIS”, and “Home Improvement”.

In 2001, Sam received an AFI Independent Film Award for Best Supporting actor for his portrayal as Louis in the movie “Street King” co-starring Jon Seda and Mario Lopez. In 2005, Sam was named by Detour Magazine as “Young Hollywood’s One to Watch”.

In 2007 Sam co-starred with Tony award winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia in the psychological thriller “Nailed” which was featured and made a buzz in the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival. His latest movie is ANCHOR BABY.

Senyo Amoaku

In one of the scenes of “Expendables”, rebels held some people hostage and the expendables were to rescue them, the leader asked, “who’s there?” and continued, “Did you bring the money?” well Amoaku is not the leader who spoke, he’s the gentleman on the left hand side of the leader who had a machete on the necks of one of the victims.

Aside that, Senyo Amoaku has appeared in three episodes of the TV show Gary Unmarried and as a voice in several video games. Under the name D.N.A., he has composed music for shows like Next, Date My Mom, and Pimp My Ride. He was also in the hit TV series “Heroes”.

He’s a Ghanaian born in Ohio, U.S.A. to Mr. Kwame Amoaku and Mrs. Komla Amoaku. Aside acting, he also has composing, screen writing and even production capabilities. With credits ranging from several national commercials to network drama, comedy, as well as big budget action films and moderately financed independent films.

Joey Ansah

Joey Ansah is the cousin of M3nsa of Fokn Boiz duo. He starred in Hollywood movies like “The Borne Ultimatum”, Street Fighter: Assassin’s fist and “Batman Begins”.

#D2R2016: Shatta Wale, Joey B, others set to thrill tomorrow

Shatta Wale, Joey B, Guru, Okyeame Kwame, and other top acts are set for the official Christmas Party tomorrow at the 2016 Decemba 2 Rememba concert at the Accra International Conference Centre.

 The annual Citi FM-organised concert will come off at 8pm and will also have on the bill; Article Wan of Solo fame, Nii Funny of  Yoko Ebreaki me fame,  the Grind boys, DJ Vision, A.I. and the electioneering season’s sensation, Onaapo’s Dee Aja. 

Scenes from #D2R2015

To spice up the night with some laughter will also be the Comedian Hogan, who is no stranger to the D2R platform, with his third appearance. 

Thousands of music fans are expected to hone in on the International Conference Centre in the official D2R dress code, a white top and a pair of jeans. 

Hogan the comedian at #D2R2015

Regular tickets for the concert are pegged at GHS80, with VIP tickets going for GHS150.

 #D2R2016 is powered by 97.3 Citi FM and sponsored by TOTAL CARD – Total Savings, Total Benefits, BAYPORT – Your future now, KIT KAT – Have a break, have a KitKat, HUNTERS – Refreshes like nothing on earth.

 Tickets are available in selected Total Service Stations; at 37 next to Max Mart, Atomic Junction, Baatsona, East Legon ANC, La Beah, Tema Hospital Road and Tesano, and at the front desk of Citi FM, Adabraka. 

 By: citifmonline.com 

Banker charged for stealing from deceased's account

Gyamfi is to reappear on January 19, 2017 before the court

Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, a banker, has been put before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing GH ¢11,000 cedis from a deceased customer’s accounts.

Gyamfi, 38, charged with stealing, however, pleaded not guilty and he has been admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢15,000 cedis with three sureties one to be justified.

The accused person claims it was the late Nana Adu Gyamfi Kwamaning III who asked him to transfer GH¢6,000 cedis to one Sarah Sosu, now at large and himself (accused) GH¢ 5,000 cedis.

The accused further claim Nana Kwamaning III, who died last year had since come for the GH¢ 5,000 cedis from him.

Gyamfi is to reappear on January 19, 2017, before the court presided over by Ms Eva Bannerman Williams.

Prosecuting Detective Chief Inspector Isaac Agbemahia said the complainant was Maxwell Caleb Nortey Newman, a banker with the Forensic Investigation Department of Barclays Bank Head office Accra.

Chief Inspector Agbemahia said the accused person was with Customer Life Circle Management, a department of the bank branch at Knusford, Accra.

On October 24, this year, the relatives of the customer known as Nana Adu Gyamfi Kwamaning III went to the Oda branch of the bank and presented letters of Administration to enable the relations of the deceased to access funds in the decease's account.

It was realised that even though the customer passed on last year, there had been transfer of GH 6,000 cedis and GH¢5,000 respectively on June 2, this year and June 14, this year.

The matter, according to the prosecutor was referred to the Forensic Unit of the bank for investigations and it came to light that the accused person transferred the various amounts to one Sarah Sosu, a customer of the bank"s branch at Airport on June 2, this year and accused person’s account personal account at the Abossey Okai branch.

Prosecution said Sarah withdrew GH¢6,000 cedis on June 3, this year while accused used his ATM card to withdraw the GH¢5,000 cedis.

Chief Inspector Agbemahia said the complainant after concluding his investigations reported the matter to the Fraud Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department.

During interrogation, Gyamfi denied the offense and said that it was the deceased who came to the bank on June 2, this year and June 14, this year and asked him to do the transfer for him (the accused) and Sarah.

According to Gyamfi, the deceased had since come for GH¢5,000 cedis from him.

Prosecution said the accused failed for proof that it was the deceased who personally ordered the transfer.

The prosecutor said Police investigations revealed that Sarah Sosu, who received GH¢ 6,000 cedis was Gyamfi’s cousin.

According to prosecution, the cameras at the bank did not show that the deceased was at the bank on June 2, this year and June 14, this year when the transfers were made.

Obama makes last-minute bid to stall Trump’s ability to create a Muslim registry

WASHINGTON ? The Obama administration is dismantling an inactive national registry that was used to track foreign visitors from a designated list of countries, most of which have Muslim-majority populations. The move represents a last-minute effort by the outgoing president to delay his successor, Donald Trump, from reinstating what critics say would amount to a Muslim registry.

The registry, known as National Security Entry-Exit Registration (NSEERS), was created shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks. It required men 16 and older from certain countries to register in person with the Immigration and Naturalization Service and submit to questioning and fingerprinting when entering the U.S. By 2003, the list of designated countries had swelled from a handful to 25, with 24 of them majority-Arab or Muslim.

The Department of Homeland Security is removing the regulatory structure behind NSEERS, effective immediately, the agency said in a statement on Thursday.

The administration of President George W. Bush found the program to be ineffective and stopped using it after only a year and a half. With the program already obsolete by the time Obama entered office, his administration de-listed the countries designated under NSEERS, effectively suspending the program.


But the regulatory structure behind it remained in place, prompting fears that Trump, who spoke during the campaign about banning Muslims from entering the country, would use the framework to quickly reinstate it.

Last month, 200 human rights, civil liberties and interfaith groups urged the Obama administration to rescind the NSEERS regulatory framework before handing the presidency over to Trump. During the short period the registry was active, the groups wrote in a letter to Obama, it had a devastating effect on the people targeted.

“Families were torn apart, small businesses in immigrant neighborhoods closed their doors, and students discarded their educational aspirations,” the letter read.

The national registry, which didn’t lead to a single terrorism conviction, was also wildly ineffective, according to former government officials.

“The people who could be identified as terrorists weren’t going to show up,” former INS commissioner James W. Ziglar told The New York Times in 2004. “This project was a huge exercise and caused us to use resources in the field that could have been much better deployed.’”

An expansive, generalized search is an ineffective way to look for a small group of wrongdoers, former FBI agent Michael German told The Huffington Post last month.

“NSEERS looks at tremendous numbers of people who are not suspected of any wrongdoing,” German said. “The likelihood of that type of system somehow tripping upon somebody who is otherwise unknown is pretty small.”

In 2012, the DHS inspector general found that Customs and Border Patrol officers tasked with processing information from registrants saw NSEERS as an “inefficient use of resources.”

When the program was launched in 2002, there were more than 250,000 entry and exit registrations. CBP officers told the inspector general “there was little value in the interviews they conducted with NSEERS registrants” and that their time would be better spent doing more targeted investigations.


Reinstating a national registry that predominantly targets Muslims entering the U.S. appears to be a top priority for the incoming Trump administration. Weeks after winning the election, Trump met with Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R), who was the architect of NSEERS when he served in the Bush administration’s Justice Department. Kobach, at the time thought to be in the running for Homeland Security secretary, was photographed entering the meeting with Trump carrying notes that read:

1. Update and reintroduce the NSEERS screening and tracking system (National Security Entry-Exit Registration System) that was in place from 2002-2005. All aliens from high-risk areas are tracked.

2. Add extreme vetting questions for high-risk aliens: question them regarding support for Sharia law, jihad, equality of men and women, the United States Constitution.

Trump didn’t end up choosing Kobach to head DHS, but his recommendations are in line with what Trump has been pledging to do once he enters the White House.

The Obama administration’s move to rescind the regulatory framework does not preclude Trump from reinstating it, making the outgoing president’s action a largely symbolic effort to avoid complicity in actions taken by his successor.

Still, it would at least slow down the process of recreating the registry and could open up the process to more public scrutiny.

The next administration would likely have to “publish a rule, run a public notice and comment period, and then let a period run before the rule is effective,” said Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, director of the Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic at Penn State Law.

It’s also possible there will be “legal challenges to any version of a registry that violates U.S. law,” Wadhia said.

Libya Malta hijack: Man waves Gaddafi flag from plane

An unidentified man waves a flag

A man has emerged from a hijacked Libyan jet waving a flag associated with the late former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, during a stand-off in Malta.

The man appeared after most of the 118 people on board had been released from the Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A320.

The domestic flight was hijacked in the morning after taking off from Sabha, bound for the Libyan capital Tripoli.

At least one man claiming to have a hand grenade threatened to blow up the plane, according to local reports.

The flag-waving man is then understood to have gone back inside the passenger plane.

Initial information suggests the hijacker is trying to claim political asylum in Malta, the mayor of Sabha, Colonel Hamed al-Khayali, told the BBC.

However, a Libyan television station which says it interviewed a hijacker said he wanted to promote a new pro-Gaddafi party.

"We took this measure to declare and promote our new party," he was quoted as telling Libya's Channel, according to the broadcaster's Twitter account.

Col Khayali also said there was only one hijacker although some reports say there are two.

The plane took off from Sabha at 11:10 local time (08:10 GMT), landing in Malta two hours and 20 minutes later.

Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that his country's security forces were standing by.

Mr Muscat said on Twitter that the passengers list included 82 men, 28 women and one baby.

Col Khayali said the plane had left Sabha's Tmenhant military airport at 11:05 local time for Tripoli.

"It was hijacked and investigations are continuing to establish how any explosives or weapons made it on board," he said.

He added that security at Tmenhant was poor, with a distance of 5km (3.1 miles) travel between the airport building and planes.

"That is an open space and it is possible that along that route something was smuggled on board," he said.

The deputy mayor for Lija in Malta, Madga Magri Naudi, told the BBC that paramedics and soldiers were standing by to see "what the next step is".

A special committee meeting was taking place to address the situation, she added.

In the meantime, Malta International Airport has been closed and all flights have been diverted.

Ghana beach soccer can rule Africa

The national Beach Soccer team BLACK SHARKS has returned home from the 2016 Beach Soccer AFCON  in Lagos, Nigeria. Although we could not qualify to the World Cup in Bahamas, the boys gave their all. Could they have done better?

Well there is always room for improvement but as long as they gave 100% I have no complaints. I want to resist the temptation of the "blame game" syndrome. Injuries, officiating, motivation, tactical and technical deficiency, poor management structure,  medical team challenges, recovery after a game, lack of strength in depth etc are all part of the game.

The most important thing now is to have a calm, matured and thorough post mortem of the  2016 Beach Soccer AFCON with necessary input from all stakeholders; indeed, including the media.  Losing 4-5 to Egypt and 3-4 hosts Nigeria, there were signs of improvement from our previous tournaments in Seychelles two years ago.

Ghana lacks adequate beach soccer infrastructure even though we have amazing high grade sand quality for pitches/arenas.

Apart from infrastructure which largely should be spearheaded by state, the next surest way and best way forward is to pursue corporate Ghana and then ask government to top up. Finally and perhaps most significantly, the establishment of a regional body to champion the promotion of the sport, has been set in motion.

Sam Allardyce appointed Crystal Palace manager on two-and-a-half-year deal

Former England boss Sam Allardyce has been appointed Crystal Palace manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Palace, who are fourth from bottom in the table, sacked Alan Pardew on Thursday after a dismal run of results.

Allardyce left his role with England by mutual consent after just one game earlier this year in the wake of a newspaper investigation which featured a video of him offering advice on how to "get around" FA rules on player transfers.

Chairman Steve Parish told the club's website: "We are delighted to be able to make an appointment so quickly and fortunate that someone of Sam’s calibre and experience was available”.

The 62-year-old will take training on Saturday and be in charge for the league game at fellow London club Watford on Monday.

After one win in their last 11 league matches, Palace are seeking more solidity from a specialist in relegation firefighting. Their poor form has left them one place and one point above the drop zone.

Palace assistant manager Keith Millen said earlier on Friday: "Certainly for players, he (Allardyce) is an experienced Premier League manager.

"He did a great job keeping Sunderland up (last season). If it is Sam, Palace are getting an experienced manager.

"I don't know if Sam Allardyce has got a point to prove with his career in league football because he has been very successful. The England job is very different."

Of Pardew, Millen added: "We have exchanged text messages. He is upset, disappointed but proud of what he has done here. Unfortunately, the results have not been good enough."

Photos: 'Irresponsible human error' caused gas explosion that killed nine

A tragic gas explosion at a gas station in Accra was caused by the 'irresponsible human error' of the operators of the gas tanker, the National Petroleum Authority has found out.

The NPA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Moses Asaga, explained two bolts which should have tightened the lid on the gas tanker were missing.

The pressure of the fully loaded gas tanker was forced out 'like a missile' causing the explosion, he said on Joy FM's Super Morning Show Friday.

The death toll from Thursday night's explosion at the Louis Gas Station behind the Trade Fair Centre at Labadi in Accra has risen to nine.

Some of the bodies were charred beyond recognition in a pre-Christmas tragedy. It has also left at least 10 in critical condition.

The entire skin of a toddler was removed by the severe burns as he walked about looking for his guardians.

The gas station was cordoned off, power supply in the neighbourhood cut as firefighters battled the flames for hours.

In the company of a safety officer and in an effort to obtain a first-hand understanding of the cause of the tragic events, Asaga said he found that the facilities in the gas station were top-notch.

"We noticed that the facility there had a very high level of integrity pipeline, dispensers and values were all intact," he said.

Satisfied that the fault could not have come from maintenance lapses, they turned their attention to the burnt gas tanker.

It was fully loaded with LPG from Tema and had parked since mid-morning to discharge gas into the tanks in the station.

"That particular tank was the one that the fault came from," he said.

Explaining how gas tankers work, Moses Asaga said, "each of the gas tankers has a cork (lid) on it..and you have to bolt the lid just like we bolt the tyres to our cars so that the tyre does not spin off".

Unfortunately, two bolts were missing compromising the safety of the gas tanker. After a long wait since morning, the worst happened.

"The pressure built up and because the lid was not tight, the pressure was able to force the lid open.

"It came out like a missile.. and that is why it spewed out 200 meters into the Labadi Trade Fair site and caused the fire", he reported.

"...it was purely a human error, an irresponsibility on the part of the one who was in charge of corking the lead of the tanker at the loading site

"...it was an irresponsible human error..something that does not need any technology", he repeated.

Source: myjoyonline.com

Fire guts Asawasi slum in Kumasi (video)

aftermath of the fire

Fire yesterday gutted more than 200 structures at a Slum behind the Asawasi railway quarters in Kumasi, Ashanti region.

Properties running into hundreds of Ghana cedis were destroyed in the process but no casualties were reported because most of the slum dwellers had taken advantage of the festive season to engage in various types of trade outside.

The fire, which started at 6:40 p.m., raged on for almost 3 hours, rapidly sweeping through the wooden structures as personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) at Manhyia could not get access to the place.
The squatters were forced, under the circumstances, to improvise in fighting the fire by breaking down some of the structures and pouring water from a nearby gutter on the fire.

They had difficulty accessing water to bring the fire under control because some of the pipelines had been disconnected.

aftermath of the fire

Most of the squatters were in town when the fire started but few who were around did their best to support the GNFS to control the fire.

Those who were in town rushed back to the slum when they heard the news, only to see their structures in ashes. Some of them, especially the women, were seen sobbing.

The few who were in their rooms when the fire started managed to retrieve some of their goods but attained minor injuries.
They were seen carrying their goods away from the direction of the fire, whiles some thieves took advantage of the sitution.

One of the victims, a woman told otec fm’s Derrick Ekuoba Gyasi that the fire destroyed everything she has including an amount of ghc7000 she had kept in her room.

Video below

Source: otecfmghana.com

7,501 Women died from abortion in the Kumasi Metropolis

The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana health service has revealed that 7,501 women died from the termination of unwanted pregnancies between 2014 and the end of 2015.

This, according to the service makes abortion the 3rd cause of maternal deaths in the Kumasi metropolis.

Dr. kwasi Yeboah Awudzi, Ashanti regional deputy director of public health expressed worry about the high rate of abortions, particularly among adolescents, adding that, it does not help the fight against maternal deaths.

Abortion among adolescents, he revealed constituted 44 per cent of the total of 3,951 officially reported cases of maternal deaths in the region last year, whiles in 2014, abortion constituted 39% of a total figure of 3,550 maternal deaths.

Dr. Awudzi described the situation as disturbing, considering the fact that abortion was one of the major causes of maternal deaths.

He encouraged young people to either abstain from pre-marital sex or use contraceptives to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

He warned against unprotected sex which leads to unwanted pregnancies this Christmas adding that ”Christmas which should have been used to celebrate the birth of the savior Jesus Christ, has now been turned into a time to have sex.”

Madam Rita Anafo, the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, complained about the low acceptance of Family Planning in the Ashanti region and called for a radical change.

She put the coverage at just 22 per cent and called for more efforts to expand coverage.

Source: otecfmghana

Bawumia hints of maiden budget statement in March 2017

The incoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s maiden budget statement will be ready in March 2017. 

Vice President in waiting, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia dropped the hint at the Nayiri’s palace in Nalerigu when President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo paid a courtesy call on the Nayiri Abdulai Mahami Bohagu Sheriga as part of his three-day “Thank you tour” of the three regions of the north. 

As designated head of the incoming government’s economic management team, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia said restoration of the teacher and nursing trainee allowances, youth employment, one dam one village and one million Dollar package for each constituency will dovetail into the 2017 budget statement. 

He reassured Ghanaians that the incoming Nana Addo led NPP administration will deliver all its 2016 campaign promises.

 “I want to assure the people of Mamprugu, the people of Northern Ghana and the people of Ghana as a whole that the promises Nana Akufo Addo will be fulfilled.”

 “We are going to work very hard and the focus is on jobs for our youth and we are going to make sure we implement all our policies to address the needs of the people.

” Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia called for peaceful co-existence. “I ask that we all live in peace, we all want to be one together.”

 “Let’s pray for peace and work for peace and I want to assure you that we will work hard to deliver on our promises to improve the standard of living of our people,” he underscored. 

The overlord of Mamprugu land, the Nayiri Abdulai Mahami Bohagu Sheriga tasked Nana Akufo Addo to remain focused and serve as a father for all.

 All chiefs under the watch of the Nayiri including the newly enskinned Bolga Naaba assembled at the Nayiri’s palace.

 Source: citifmonline.com

Mahama appoints new Auditor-General

President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Mr Daniel Domelovo as the new Auditor-General.

A letter sighted by citifmonline.com, signed by the Chief of Staff,  Julius Debrah, said the appointment took effect from 23^rd December, 2016.

The letter said Mr Domelovo had to confirm his acceptance of the appointment by Wednesday, 28^th December, 2016.

“His Excellency the President, John Dramani Mahama, acting in consultation with the Council of State, accordance with Article 70 of the 1992 Constitution, has appointed you as Auditor-General with effect from 23^rd December, 2016.”

“Until the approval of the Report of the Prof. Boandoh Committee on Emoluments, the salary and allowances payable to the facilities and privileges available to you shall be indicated in the Prof. Ewurama Addy Committee Report”

“The provisions of the Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution relating to the removal of from Office of a Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature Shall apply to you.”

 Mr Domelovo’s appointment comes after President Mahama’s appointment of a new Commissioner for the Commission of Human Right and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) as well as the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE). 

 The President, who will be leaving office in about two weeks has come under heavy criticisms for his appointments which many say are deliberate attempts to sabotage the incoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) government led by Nana Akufo-Addo.

 Anti-corruption crusader, Martin Amidu haS described the appointments as a “midnight appointments” that goes to confirm his belief that the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) is a looter government that do not deserve to remain in office. 

Source: citifmonline.com

Parliament approves Mahama’s ex-gratia

Ghana’s Parliament has approved the report of the Presidential Committee on salaries and emoluments for Article 71 office holders including ex-gratia for outgoing President John Dramani Mahama. 

Details of the report are currently scanty because the approval was made in a closed-door meeting. 

Parliamentarians deliberated throughout the week after they resumed from their break on Tuesday. Per Ghana’s laws, Parliament and the Executive have the mandate to review each other’s ex-gratia.

 Reject your ex-gratia if

A member of Parliament on the ticket of the outgoing National Democratic Congress, Sampson Ahi on Thursday challenged NPP MPs to reject their end of service benefits if they think President Mahama should not be passing last-minute agreements.

 The NPP have expressed concerns about President Mahama’s approval of fresh contracts and appointments despite having less than a month to vacate office and hand over power to president-elect, Nana Akufo-Addo in January 2017. 

Speaking on Eyewitness News , Sampson Ahi who is the MP for the Bodi constituency dared the NPP MPs to turn down their ex-gratia if it’s finally approved.

 “If they are arguing that we are doing last minute loans or programmes what do they say to the fact that we are now working on approving our ex-gratia. The ex-gratia of parliamentarians must be approved by the executive and Parliament will also approve that of the executive. As we speak we haven’t done it. So why are they not saying that because there is a new government we shouldn’t allow the outgoing president to approve the ex-gratia for the parliamentarians?”

 “Why are we behaving as if, if NDC does anything, it is criminal but the NPP will do it and nobody can say anything about it,” he quizzed. 

Source: citifmonline.com