Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, Mr. Jinapor compared Ghana’s cocoa performance with that of neighboring Côte d’Ivoire, noting that both countries share similar population sizes and industry dynamics.

He emphasised that although Ghana is widely recognised for producing premium cocoa, farmers are currently receiving lower prices than their counterparts across the border.

According to Mr. Jinapor, who is also the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, Côte d’Ivoire has managed to maintain stronger producer prices despite facing similar global headwinds, including fluctuations in international cocoa prices and other external shocks.

He suggested that this contrast raises important questions about domestic policy decisions and the management of Ghana’s cocoa sector.

Mr. Jinapor urged the government to take responsibility for the current state of affairs and to adopt a more responsive and informed approach to managing the cocoa industry.

He stressed the need for transparency, sound judgment in cocoa trading, and policies that prioritise the welfare of farmers.

The comments come at a time when Ghana’s cocoa sector—long considered a major backbone of the national economy—is grappling with pricing concerns and broader structural challenges.

Industry watchers say the debate underscores the importance of sustainable policy decisions to protect farmers’ incomes and strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness in the global cocoa market.

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He emphasized that Ghana, as a country built on democratic principles, must uphold and promote these values in its engagements with neighboring countries, particularly Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

Hon. Jinapor made this statement in Parliament while seconding the motion for the approval of the budget estimate for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

He referenced Article 40 of Ghana’s Constitution, on the Directive Principles of State Policy, which mandates the government to promote democratic governance in its dealings with other nations.

He pointed out that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are currently under military rule and stressed that Ghana must remain steadfast in advocating for democracy in these countries.

He noted that while it is important to pursue regional integration, it must not come at the expense of Ghana’s fundamental democratic principles.

JINAPOR SAHEL

“While we urge the Foreign Ministry to pursue the objective of regional integration, it is vital that we do not overlook the principles of democratic governance. We must work towards restoring democracy in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that all of West Africa and Africa at large is governed based on democratic practices,” he stated.

Hon. Jinapor further stressed that democracy is the foundation on which governments should be built, just as it is in Ghana. He called on the government to take a leadership role in efforts to restore constitutional rule in the Sahel, ensuring that the will of the people is respected in governance structures across the region.

He expressed his full support for the motion before the House and urged Parliament to adopt the report supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“With these few words, I lend my support to the motion and ask that this House adopts this report, supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that ultimately, Ghana’s flag will fly high in the community of nations,” he concluded.

His remarks reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to democratic values and serve as a call to action for the government to ensure that democratic governance remains central in its foreign policy engagements with the Sahel region.

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Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Damongo MP urged lawmakers to acknowledge the reality of political interference in illegal mining and ensure that any amendments effectively remove presidential discretion in granting mining rights in forest reserves.

“I rise to support the position of the Minority Leader on the need for some pre-laying procedure,” Jinapor stated.

He explained that while the Constitution vests all mineral rights in the President, previous attempts to amend the law had already been initiated.

“The previous government, in which I had the privilege of being Minister, announced publicly and the Attorney General actually took steps in the course of the eighth Parliament to effect this same amendment,” he noted.

Jinapor argued that the pre-laying procedure is necessary because the submissions by the Majority Leader and the Education Minister do not fully capture the complexities of the issue.

“Mr Speaker, as we speak today, mining is happening in almost all the forest reserves of our country. The Coalition Against Galamsey, led by the respected Ken Ashigbey, has actually come out with a report detailing how political party kingpins, believing that their party has won power, are taking over the forest reserves of our country,” he revealed.

He cautioned against ignoring the extent of illegal mining operations and challenged Parliament to confront the truth.

“The only thing that can prevent the fight against galamsey is a lack of candour,” he declared.

“If anybody stands here and says that political party kingpins have not taken over forest reserves and are mining, let’s say it and let’s give ourselves six months, one year, two years, and we will see where galamsey will be.”

Jinapor insisted that a pre-laying procedure would allow for in-depth scrutiny of the amendment to ensure it effectively removes presidential discretion in granting mining rights in forest reserves.

However, he warned that under the current legal framework, the President retains the authority to approve such activities despite any amendments.

“Let us accept the truth and be honest about what is happening today,” he urged.

“That is why I’m saying that the pre-laying is necessary for us to have a thorough, in-depth interrogation and discussion on how this can be formulated and presented in a manner that would truly, if that is what we want to achieve, oust the discretion of the President in granting rights for mining in forest reserves.”

Concluding his submission, Jinapor issued a stark warning about the state of Ghana’s forest reserves.

“As we speak, the forest reserves of our country have been invaded,” he stated.

“If we do not take decisive action now, we will soon find ourselves in a situation beyond redemption.”

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Jinapor’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders has been hailed as a progressive move to ensure innovation and sustainability in Ghana’s energy industry.

Sustainable tourism experiences

Stakeholders in the energy sector have expressed optimism about this development, highlighting the minister’s strategic foresight in identifying and appointing young talents to key positions.

Many call him the “Energy Sector godfather” in the Umbrella family.

The Yapei Kusawgu lawmaker who is credited with the rise of NDC youth sensation Malik Basintale has now added to his wings young appointees to the various agencies under the Ministry of Energy led by him.

The latest to join the list is the dynamic and highly capable professional, Edmond Kombat who is said to be heading to the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).

The minister has also overseen the appointment of Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe to the National Petroleum Authority. The two were spotted in a picture together in Nigeria where they were working on behalf of the Republic of Ghana to secure fuel for Ghanaians.

John Jinapor also saw the naming of another young talent to the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company BOST, Afetsi Awoonor.

Hon. Jinapor’s leadership has been instrumental in fostering a culture of mentorship and empowerment, which many believe will contribute to long-term growth in the sector.

“This is a testament to Hon. Jinapor’s vision for the future of Ghana’s energy sector. By entrusting young professionals with critical responsibilities, he is building a foundation for sustainable progress,” said one industry analyst.

Again, John Jinapor also saw to the appointment of a fast-rising energy sector expert, the relatively young Dr. Shafic Suleman who was appointed to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

John Jinapor has also facilitated appointments for the likes of Edward Bawa who is now heading the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) but who doesn’t fall in the youth bracket.

Edmond Kombat to TOR

The latest addition to the list of young men assembled by the minister with the blessing of President John Mahama is influential entrepreneur Edmond Kombat whose appointment to TOR as MD went viral yesterday across the country.

The people of North East Region NDC have been commending the Minister for his selfless empowerment and promotion of brilliant talents.

The appointment of young professionals, such as Edmond Kombat, reflects the government’s commitment to investing in the potential of the youth while ensuring continuity and innovation in leadership. Hon. Jinapor’s efforts have not only been commended by industry players but also celebrated by young Ghanaians as a step toward a more inclusive and forward-looking governance structure.

Edmond Kombat is a lawyer and Founding Chairman of the Edkom Group, overseeing ventures in agribusiness, real estate, precious minerals and energy services. Through his Agribusiness Company, Oyster, he successfully raised over US$5million in funding, benefiting 4,500 farmers covering 20,000 acres with 25,000 tons of produce across Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso and Nigeria.

A seasoned energy professional, he co-founded the Institute for Energy Security (IES) and has also worked at the Ministry of Energy, Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) and the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), where he provided technical advice and strategic analysis on operational initiatives that saved Ghana money. US$300million and securing US$110million in investments as Special Assistant to the MD of TOR and Energy Analyst. Edmond has consulted for Energy Companies in South Africa, Tanzania and Mozambique.

His career began as a Financial Analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in London, analyzing stocks, bonds, currencies, and commodities and later Premium Bank in Accra; working on investment strategies and market trends. He is a licensed stockbroker of the Ghana Stock Exchange having passed the requisite Securities Industry Course.

He graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Ghana, earned his LL.B from the GIMPA Faculty of Law, and obtained his BL and QCL qualifications from the Ghana School of Law. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from Harvard University, reflecting his dedication to academic excellence and professional development.

The Lands Minister, at a press conference on Wednesday, August 14, in response to Okudzeto Ablakwa’s accusations of land grabbing and state capture, rejected the allegations, stating that most of the lands in question were handed to private individuals to develop in the interest of the state.

“The allegations of state capture and the narrative that this government is indiscriminately selling public lands, are all palpably false, without merit, and, obviously, actuated by political considerations given that we are nearing elections,” Lands Minister said.

Addressing a counter press conference in Parliament on Thursday, the North Tongu MP challenged the Lands Minister’s position, accusing the government of being complicit in the act.

“We have come to the firm conclusion that the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government is deliberately refusing to disclose the status of all public lands in our country because they are complicit. They know that when the full facts emerge, they will be exposed for the massive land grabs and unquestionable state capture they have engaged in,” he said.

He accused the government of failing to comply with Parliament’s directive for a compilation of all public lands, noting that it has been more than two years since the request was made, yet the Lands Ministry has failed to provide the list.

Mr Ablakwa argued that this failure demonstrates that the Lands Ministry is not fulfilling its constitutional mandate.

Additionally, he argued that when the Minister was invited to the Assurance Committee of Parliament, he kept making excuses insisting that his ministry was still compiling the list.

Source: Myjoyonline

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During a press briefing on Wednesday, August 14, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, expressed surprise at these allegations, describing them as unfounded.

He specifically addressed concerns about certain properties, including a parcel of land at Cantonments and the W.E.B. DuBois Centre, stating that these lands were not sold under the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

Mr. Jinapor also pointed out the irony of individuals who were involved in the sale of state lands now accusing President Akufo-Addo of state capture, given the facts at hand.

“There are allegations that this government has sold some bungalows belonging to the Judiciary Service at Cantonment to a private developer. These bungalows in question were sold as far back as July 13, 2015, to a company named Frimps Oil Company Limited following an approval granted by the then Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Nii Osah Mills, on June 2, 2015.

“Is it therefore not surprising that the very people who supervised the sale of this property to Frimps Oil Company Limited will turn around and accuse the Akufo-Addo government of state capture.

“For the W.E.B. DuBois Centre, as we have explained in our press release of July 16, 2024, the Lands Commission, the manager of Public Lands and Repository of Records of Lands Transactions has no pending application for the transfer of this land and for the avoidance of doubt, the land in question as we speak, remains in the name of the Dubois Centre.”

“The above examples clearly show that allegations of state capture and the narrative that this government is indiscriminately selling public lands are palpably false without merit and obviously actuated by political considerations given the heated political season we find ourselves.

There are a lot of expectations as President Nana Akufo-Addo names his ministers including his Chief of Staff.

People are jostling for positions and former appointees are also hoping to be retained.

 It is, however, strange that some people in the ruling New Patriotic Party are rooting for the former Chief of Staff, Madam Akosua Frema Osei Opare to be changed.

Others also argue that, as the first woman Chief of Staff, it will be suicidal for President Akufo-Addo to change her.

In support, former deputy Chief of Staff, Samuel Abu Jinapor, said it will come to him as a great shock if his former boss is replaced.

“I will be extremely surprised if the President does not retain Madam Frema Osei Opare,” he said in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, Tuesday.

He argued that as the right-hand woman of the President, she discharged her duties exceptionally.

“She has done it so meticulously in a very calm but effective manner and we all look forward to the president retaining her,” he added.

The former deputy Chief of Staff now the Member of Parliament for Damongo said Madam Opare has given true meaning to the office.

He appealed to President Akufo-Addo to retain the former Chief of Staff who has shown “total dedication to her work.”

His comments could only be an unmistakable sign of desperation and hopelessness emanating from a clueless government that only succeeded in ascending to power through deceit and political jugglery.

Ordinarily, I would have treated these contrived statements with the contempt they deserve, but knowing the closeness of Gabby Otchere-Darko to his uncle, President Akufo-Addo and the enormous political influence he wields within the government, I deem it necessary to set the records straight and to save Ghanaians from being fed with further falsehood.

Mr Asare Otchere-Darko makes the claim that Former President Mahama was irresponsible in his quest to comprehensively deal with the energy challenge that had confronted the Nation for decades. As if that was not enough, Gabby astonishingly had the courage to make corruption allegations against President Mahama amongst other frivolous claims.

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It is an undeniable fact that President Mahama handed over a revitalised and robust Energy sector to the NPP after successfully pursuing sound and pragmatic Policies which resulted in a comprehensive resolution of the Energy sector challenges.

It is instructive to note that prior to the interview on Metro TV, Gabby had made similar claims to the effect that the NPP Government had saved Ghana an amount of US$7.6 billion from the termination of some 11 Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) entered into by the erstwhile Mahama Administration.

Gabby and his government have since been challenged by my very good self and other industry players to publish details of the so-called terminated PPAs which he has since failed to honour.

Interestingly, these wild claims of saving were recently discounted by the ECG (which is the off-taker and the signatory to the said terminated agreements) at a presentation to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy.

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This is a Government, which is quick to make outrageous claims of achievements but never able to substantiate same with empirical evidence.

Once again I challenge Gabby and his acolytes to publish the full list of the PPAs that he claims have been cancelled and the details of savings made thereof for public scrutiny.

This, obviously, is yet another attempt to squander public funds in the name of dubious compensation payments for the termination of contracts. Clearly, the Akufo-Addo government and the NPP have lost focus, hence their continuous resort to total mendacity and sheer political chicanery.

Rather than continuously whining about the so-called excess generation capacity, the Akufo-Addo government should focus on expanding national electricity coverage and the exportation of power to neighbouring countries which the Mahama administration made significant progress. For the record, this Government has so far managed to achieve a paltry 2% increment in national electricity expansion and will certainly go down in history as the worst-performing Government in the 4th Republic.

Even more disturbing is the fact that the expansion of our transmission lines from 161KV to 330KV which begun under President Mahama with the intention to expand exportation of power to Burkina Faso and other neighbouring countries has stalled under this Government. These are the vexed issues that should occupy government’s attention.

Gabby should explain to Ghanaians what has happened to the LNG Project which was started by Quantum Group. A project which was designed to further bring down the cost of electricity through the use of LNG together with its infrastructure which was to be a catalyst to further strengthen our energy export dominance to countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo etc.

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This incompetent government decided to cancel the agreement and turn round to create another entity under the name BELM ostensibly to create a new purported structure to work with Gasprom metamorphosed into Rosneft and Helios Towers, a project which has since stagnated.

The so-called excess capacity can only be the result of bad policy decisions and the legendary incompetence of this government.

On the critical issue of the PDS scandal which will surely consume the Akufo-Addo Government, Gabby’s claim that President Akufo-Add only sought to serve the interest of Ghana through such dubious scheme is not only laughable but ludicrous.

How can the very people whose greed, gross negligence and culpability have led to this scandal of gargantuan proportion turn around to blame President Mahama for this embarrassing spectacle?

The desperate attempt by Gabby to shift the blame of this stinking PDS scandal on President Mahama only confirms that this current administration has lost its way and definitely sailing in a sinking ship.

Let me reiterate that the current PDS scandal is as a direct result of greed on the part of current government officials and their cronies who, instead of serving the interest of the country rather chose to create, loot and share the spoils of the concession.

I want go put the Akufo-Addo Government on notice that, we are well aware of attempts to reapportion the shares of PDS to cronies despite the open fraud and illegality that has characterised this stinking deal.

We are not surprised because this has always been the agenda but we wish to assure this will not be countenanced in any form or shape.

I want Ghanaians to know that, as at the date of PDS taking over the assets of ECG (based on the findings from the two reports commissioned by Mida/MCC and the subcommittee of the MiDA board) conditions 24 &31 where not met making the takeover illegal and as such we expect government to do the right thing by terminating the PDS contract.

Finally, I would like to advise Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko to concentrate his efforts at helping his uncle President Akufo-Addo compile his hand over notes since Ghanaians are in no mood to vote for a Government that has perpetuated such blatant levels of cronyism and nepotism whilst the ordinary Ghanaian is subjected to the suffering of unimaginable suffering.

John Abdulai Jinapor
Former Deputy Minister of Energy and Petroleum

The Minority in Parliament has called on the Akufo-Addo government to terminate the concession agreement with Power Distribution Services (PDS).

The call by the Minority follows a decision by government to suspend PDS’ concession for distribution of power in Ghana, following what it said was the discovery “of fundamental and material breaches of PDS’ obligation in the provision of Payment Securities.”

Addressing the press in Parliament on Thursday, former Deputy Minister of Energy and Petroleum, John Jinapor, said the concession agreement began in a very competitive and transparent manner by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) with six pre-qualified companies.

“Government deliberately altered original agreement and awarded contract to PDS,” the Minority noted.

According to the NDC group, the suspension was a deliberate attempt by the government to cover up the fraudulent activity.

“We want this contract to be terminated without delay because we warned them but they refused to listen to good counsel and went ahead,” Mr Jinapor added.

Source: Adomonline.com

To Mr Jinapor, who doubles as the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for the Yapei Kusawgu Constituency, inflation, foreign exchange and the price of fuel which were some indicators cited by the PURC for the increment, were worse or virtually the same for the 10.8% tariff reduction in 2018.

“So it means that from the time the tariffs were reduced in 2018 when they were paying for gas consumed, compared to today, their cost of production has come down.

“Because today, the gas they are procuring, Parliament has granted approval that they should not pay for that gas; almost GHc1 billion,” he said.

He was speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosi Sen show, Tuesday.

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 Commenting on PURC’s fuel price and foreign exchange, he said “in the 2019 budget, utility companies were to be freed of the burden of paying $181 million for the gas they consume and when the cedi was falling, you thought it prudent to reduce tariffs. You didn’t even hold the tariffs. So today what has changed?” he quizzed.

He added: “These developments made it clear that there is a huge debt and utilities are collapsing and that is a fact.”

Source: Adomonline.com | Gertrude Octhere

He believes the loss in value of the Cedi should be blamed on weak economic fundamentals by the Akufo Addo-led government.

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From ¢4.42 to one dollar in January 2018, the cedi in August 2018 is valued at ¢4.78 to the dollar at the interbank rates and is trading at ¢4.94 at some forex bureaux in Accra.

It is selling for ¢5 on the black market.

The decline has resulted in a drop of 6.9 per cent this year, more than the cumulative depreciation of 4.7 per cent for the whole of 2017.

Social media has been buzzing with the decline of the cedi and the Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who is head of the government’s economic management team is under pressure to explain the decline to Ghanaians.

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Videos of his famous statement “when you do propaganda with the cedi, the exchange rate will expose you,” are currently trending.

The Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has defended government’s handling of the cedi, insisting it has never been better in the last eight years.

But speaking on Asempa FM’s socio-political programme, Ekosii Sen Friday, Mr Jinapor who is a former Deputy Minister for Power, said Dr Bawumia’s reason is not good enough, urging him to stop throwing dust into Ghanaians’ eyes.

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To him, the fall of the Ghana Cedi is the most pressing concern for many small scale and large scale businesses and the earlier steps are taken to address it, the better.

“Ghanaians are suffering and so Bawumia and his government should tell us the truth about the economy. The fundamentals, for instance, are weak and that has also affected the cedi. The Ghana Cedi is now considered the worst a performing currency in the world and the earlier something is done about it, the better” he noted.

He believes Mr. Bagbin’s unsavoury comment will have a dent on his political career and not his Presidential ambition.

“I think Babgin’s comment is unfortunate and may affect his political career in future. It won’t affect his presidential ambition because I think he is not a prepared candidate,” he said on TV3’s Morning Show, New Day on Saturday.

Alban Bagbin is under pressure to apologize following calls from various physically challenged groups over some of his comments they describe as demeaning.

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He is said to have told party communicators in the Volta Region, ex-President John Mahama made a bad decision by appointing Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, a stammerer as Communications Minister as well as Seidu Danaa, a visually-impaired person as Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs.

Dr Jinapor is asking the second Deputy Speaker of parliament to break his silence on the issue, make amends with people whose toes he stepped on.

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“He should break his silence on the issue. I won’t sit here and tell him to apologise or not. He knows what’s best for him and so he should try and make amends with these people and especially former president John Mahama” he advised.

Controversial New Patriotic Party (NPP) fanatic Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A-Plus, says he is not at loggerheads with Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Samuel Abu Jinapor.

According to the musician, his allegations of corruption should not be skewed as bribery because corruption goes beyond bribery.

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“Sometimes, people don’t get your explanation when you talk about corruption. Corruption does not only mean that the person has taken a bribe and so people might think that the two persons I have mentioned have taken bribes; no, they have not taken any bribes anywhere”.

“When I said corruption, it has a meaning but maybe it is in the minds of some people that they [Jinapor and Asenso-Boakye] had taken bribes; no it is not so”.

A Plus came under public pressure after the Deputy Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), ACP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah accused him of threatening her after the CID dismissed his [A Plus] allegations against the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Samuel Abu Jinapor as baseless.

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Speaking exclusively on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Wednesday, the controversial musician said, the news circulating around that he has been with the two deputy chiefs of staff was laughable and untrue.

He said regardless of the outcome of the issue, he has no qualms with the two chiefs of staff.

“I have no issues with Abu and Asenso; we are very cool, even with what happened. What I always fight for is to see Ghana moving forward. Even after the issue, I went to the Flagstaff House and met them, we talked and so why are they saying we have issues”, he quizzed.

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He, however, asked the two Chiefs of Staff to take him to court if they feel they have been defamed because he has no regret.

A-Plus had accused the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff of putting pressure on the CEO of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Felix Anyah, to give back a revenue-collection contract to UniBank after the same contract had been given to a wholly-foreign-owned bank.

Jinapor however in an interview on Peace FM, denied the allegation.

In his latest video on Facebook, A-Plus said having listened to Mr Jinapor’s explanations, he believed the two young presidential staffers were misled by uniBank.

“In fact, as human beings – today is Sunday, now my wife has been pulling me to church; today I’m going to church – I think that when you do something and you don’t do it the right way, if you want people to listen to you, it is very very important that you also come and say: ‘OK, I’ve noticed this, and, therefore, I think that my approach was wrong’. I said this on Joy FM and immediately Blakk Rasta came and said: ‘Eh A-Plus, you say people shouldn’t apologise.’ I never said that….

I don’t expect everybody to like me…now that I have come to understand that Abu does not even understand the issue, I will go ahead like I’ve said already and say I apologise for how I put this whole thing out; yes, because listen to him [Abu]: he does not even understand the issue. People have lied to him. Look at what he said, if he was being honest on radio, I have the impression that he was being honest, and that is all that they told him, then they have deceived him…the issue is that every Ghanaian watching me today ask yourself how can we have a government institution that can’t tell how much money it makes? today I am not fighting with anybody…

I think the fight should be over…all of us are looking for the best…after listening to Abu, I’m very convinced that he did not know that there is no system in place or mechanism in place to check or undependably tell what the leakages are and how much money the hospital makes …I will never sit here and say I am very happy with what I did. My presentation was very wrong…now it’s time; we can’t sit down. This issue must be solved”

He however says he “will not stop talking…I will continue talking and talking and talking…I am here for Nana Addo, I am here for the NPP. I am still a member of the NPP.”

This is the second time the musician is apologising to the two, having already rendered same during an interview on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM few weeks ago.

A-Plus had accused the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff of putting pressure on the CEO of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Felix Anyah, to give back a revenue-collection contract to UniBank after the same contract had been given to a wholly-foreign-owned bank.

Jinapor however in an interview on Peace FM, denied the allegation.

In his latest video on Facebook, A-Plus said having listened to Mr Jinapor’s explanations, he believed the two young presidential staffers were misled by uniBank.

“In fact, as human beings – today is Sunday, now my wife has been pulling me to church; today I’m going to church – I think that when you do something and you don’t do it the right way, if you want people to listen to you, it is very very important that you also come and say: ‘OK, I’ve noticed this, and, therefore, I think that my approach was wrong’. I said this on Joy FM and immediately Blakk Rasta came and said: ‘Eh A-Plus, you say people shouldn’t apologise.’ I never said that….

I don’t expect everybody to like me…now that I have come to understand that Abu does not even understand the issue, I will go ahead like I’ve said already and say I apologise for how I put this whole thing out; yes, because listen to him [Abu]: he does not even understand the issue. People have lied to him. Look at what he said, if he was being honest on radio, I have the impression that he was being honest, and that is all that they told him, then they have deceived him…the issue is that every Ghanaian watching me today ask yourself how can we have a government institution that can’t tell how much money it makes? today I am not fighting with anybody…

I think the fight should be over…all of us are looking for the best…after listening to Abu, I’m very convinced that he did not know that there is no system in place or mechanism in place to check or undependably tell what the leakages are and how much money the hospital makes …I will never sit here and say I am very happy with what I did. My presentation was very wrong…now it’s time; we can’t sit down. This issue must be solved”

He however says he “will not stop talking…I will continue talking and talking and talking…I am here for Nana Addo, I am here for the NPP. I am still a member of the NPP.”

This is the second time the musician is apologising to the two, having already rendered same during an interview on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM few weeks ago.

The petition follows revelations that the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service which investigated the matter may have covered up for the two presidential staffers.

Below is the full petition:

29th September, 2017.
Attention:
The Commissioner,
Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ)
Accra.

Dear Commissioner,
PETITION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED CRIMES OF CORRUPTION AND THIEVERY LEVELLED AGAINST DEPUTY CHIEFS OF STAFF; MR. FRANCIS ASENSO-BOAKYE AND MR. SAMUEL ABU JINAPOR, BY KWAME ASARE OBENG (A PLUS)

The Dynamic Youth Movement of Ghana on behalf of the teeming youth in the country write to your highly esteemed outfit to investigate the infamous alleged crime of thievery and corruption perpetrated by the Deputy Chiefs-of-staff Mr. Asenso Boakye and Mr. Abu Jinapor. These allegations were made by Mr. Kwame Asare Obeng (A Plus) a musician and a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

It has become necessary for your outfit to trigger investigation into the said matter following a leaked tape which captures a dialogue during the investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana police Service. The leaked tape was a phone conversation between Mr. Kwame Asare (A Plus) and an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mrs Tiwaa Addo – Danquah.

DYMOG is of the firm believe that, the emergence of the leaked tape has made it necessary for an independent body to conduct full fledge investigations into this matter because,

a. The Credibility of the Ghana Police Service is in possible tatters so far as the emergence of this tape is concerned.

b. Secondly, the authenticity of the final investigations report released earlier by the CID, which cleared Mr. Asenso Boakye and Mr. Abu Jinapor is in a state of immense and intense incredulity.

In the spirit of Articles 218 and 287 of the 1992 Constitution, we hereby petition CHRAJ to investigate and establish the following;

1. Whether or not the claims by r. MKwame Asare Obeng (A plus) are true

2. Whether or not the investigations of the CID of the Ghana Police Service on this matter is a true reflection of what transpired.

3. Whether or not the voices of Mr. Kwame Asare Obeng (A Plus) and Mrs Tiwaa Addo Danquah captured on the tape are originally theirs or not.

We believe, your outfit will bring clarity and finality to this matter.

DYMOG also pledges to corporate with the Commission to bring justice to this matter.

Please find attached our evidence of the voice recording on a CD ROM labeled “DYMOG EXHIBIT”.

Yours faithfully,

Edward Tutor.
Executive Convener.
Mobile: 0243402814
E-mail: ejsparrows@gmail.com

Cc:
CID, Ghana Police Service
Chief of Staff, Flagstaff House

In the middle of his thought-provoking presentation however, two members of his entourage at the UN summit appeared distracted as they were seen taking photographs while other foreign dignitaries monitored closely, what the President of the first sub-saharan country to gain independence had to say.

Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba and Deputy Chief of Staff Abu Jinapor, two appointees of the president whose work at their various political offices have been called into question in recent time were seen taking a ‘selfie’ behind the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey who, unlike the other two, seemed immersed in the President’s speech to leaders of the world.

Early this year, Otiko Djaba came under fire after she engaged in a series of exchanges with the Northern Regional chairman of her party, Bugri Naabu. The incident created a sharp division among Ghanaians with a significant number calling for her sack particularly after she was alleged to have shown ‘gross disrespect’ to Members of Parliament at her vetting. Many had concluded that such traits were not worthy of a Minister of State. The calls were however watered down as she apologized for the incident and was subsequently reprimanded by the leadership of her party – the NPP.

Samuel Abu Jinapor on the other hand has been under the scrutiny of the public after he was accused of corrupt practices by a member of his party who doubles as a businessman and entertainer.

Kwame Asare Obeng, known in showbiz as A-Plus accused the Deputy Chief of Staff of demanding monies from persons who were keen on engaging in discussions with the President. A Plus however failed to substantiate his allegations after he was called upon by the Police CID to help out in investigations into the matter of corruption against a man he had described as a thief and stupid.

On Thursday however, none of the several ‘scandals’ meant much to these two individuals who were keen on getting the priceless art of imagery at the UN General Assembly meeting as they posed for Otiko Djaba’s camera.