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His remarks follow Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s decision to lift the suspension of four MPs who were sanctioned after a chaotic incident at the Appointments Committee on Thursday, January 30.

The four MPs are Majority Chief Whip Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Weija-Gbawe Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib, and Gushegu MP Alhassan Tampuli.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One News, Mr. Ghartey highlighted the crucial role of the Minority in ensuring fairness and accountability in governance.

He stressed that the Minority is just as vital as the Majority in driving national development and upholding democratic principles.

“The Minority, apart from the physical, should continue what they are doing. They should use the rules and defend the people of Ghana. The Minority is as important as the Majority because together they hope to make Ghana stand,” he said.

In a touching message shared on social media, he hailed her achievement as a significant milestone for gender equality within the legal profession.

Efua Ghartey, a highly regarded lawyer with extensive experience, was elected by her peers, marking a groundbreaking moment for women in the GBA’s leadership.

In his message, Joe reflected on their journey together, recalling their wedding day 32 years ago and celebrating Efua’s strength, dedication, and faith.

“Over the years, she has been my strength; with a heart of gold, a spine of steel, and a gentle disposition,” he wrote.

“Today, she is the President of the Ghana Bar Association. What can I say except that God makes all things beautiful in His time. Congratulations, Madam President! Anything for the boys?” he added.

See the full post below:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Joe Ghartey (@thejoeghartey)

Source: Adomonline

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In May 2024, the Authority pledged to bring onboard over 600 large companies onto its E-VAT system by June of the same year to enhance revenue collection and monitoring.

Speaking at a brief meeting with the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Rev. Dr. Paul Boafo, the Board Chair of GRA, Joe Ghartey noted that the company is planning to onboard more companies on its E-VAT platform.

“For example, there is a policy of digitizing the collection units. Studies have shown that if tax collection is digitized, it’s easier to monitor and it will increase revenue.”

“In the beginning, it was difficult to let people understand. So the GRA set a target of 600 large companies to be on-boarded. This simply means that the company should be put on a system which is digitized. By the time the GRA was declaring their final result, they have reached 640, passing the target by 40.”

Mr. Ghartey expressed hope that the GRA can increase its target for the next two months.

“Management has set another target for the next two months but the board has set a higher target. And I know they will succeed by God’s grace”.

The Commissioner-General of the GRA, Julie Essiam stressed the need to develop partnerships with various faith based organisations to educate the public about tax compliance.

“As we move forward, our vision is to leverage this pioneering partnership as an operating model across all faith based organisations”, she said.

On his part, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Paul Boafo, urged the general public to abide by the laws of Ghana and contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the nation.

The visit to the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church by the GRA is to strengthen its partnership with the church.

The visit was led by the Commissioner General and the Board Chair of GRA, flanked by board members, Deputy Commissioners and other high ranking staff of the Authority.

The revenue mobilization agency in its bid to achieve its annual target of ¢149 billion by the end of 2024, intends to partner various faith based institutions in the country to create awareness on tax compliance and encourage members of the society to be tax abiding.

The lawyer and former Attorney General has also asked Mr Dame to pray to God for guidance amidst the controversies the case has generated.

In a post on Facebook, Mr Ghartey said a court ruling would open the floodgates for commentary, hence the public must be hesitant to express opinions at the moment.

However, touching on the plea bargain which has become topical in the matter, Mr Ghartey said when situations demand it, it must be considered, citing personal experience.

“In a case which came to be known as the ‘Tagor Case’, we, the prosecution, relied on a recording of a conversation. The Court of Appeal rejected the evidence in the light of the law on privacy.

“As to whether a lawyer can meet a judge, I think every lawyer or judge will agree that it can happen. The Sallah case, which was in the 1960s, dealt with this matter to some extent. Whether the A-G should have excused himself in the circumstances is another question,” he explained.

Joe Ghartey believes recent happenings will make Mr Dame wiser, adding the A-G’s powers are not absolute but subject to law like all powers exercised in Ghana.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appointed Joe Ghartey as the new Board Chair of the GRA on Wednesday, May 22.

Speaking at a brief inaugural ceremony led by the Finance Minister, Mr Ghartey, who also serves as the Essikado-Ketan MP, highlighted the importance of meeting the GRA’s targets promptly.

“The GRA is very crucial in the life of our nation, especially at this time and to say the level of revenue we collect in this country in percentage wise needs much to be desired is a gross understatement,” he said.

Mr Ghartey added: “The Minister in his speech has clearly given us his thinking about where we should be going. The balance is to increase the revenue and at the same time to be business-friendly to try to keep up with the target.”

He succeeds Dr. Oteng-Gyasi, who resigned on March 26, 2024, leading to the dissolution of the GRA Board.

This restructuring also includes the removal of Rev. Dr. Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah, the former Commissioner General, with Miss Julie Essiam assuming his position.

Embracing this change, Mr Ghartey emphasised the need for agility and innovation in navigating the evolving landscape of taxation.

By prioritising digital solutions, the GRA aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and the taxpayer experience, fostering a more dynamic and responsive revenue ecosystem.

Other members of the board include the former Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr Alex Ampaabeng; Commissioner-General for GRA, Julie Essiam; Deputy Minister for Trade, Michael Okyere Baafi, and 2nd Deputy Governor for the Bank of Ghana, Elsie Addo Awadzi.

Additionally, Susan Akomea, Immediate Past Municipal Chief Executive of Asante Akyim Central and a co-founding member of CENAB UK, Araba Bosomtwe, an MPA holder with international experience in high-level administrative duties, and Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah, a fellow of the Ghana College of Pharmacists and a board member of ADB Bank, also serve on the board.

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Other members of the 9-Member Board, which is chaired by the Member of Parliament for Essikado Ketan Constituency include: Dr. Alex Ampaabeng a tax and fiscal policy enthusiast, who is the representative of the Finance Ministry, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana Elsie Addo Awadzi, and Commissioner General of the GRA, Julie Essiam.

The rest are: the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Micheal Okyere Baafi who is on the board as the representative of the Trade Ministry, Immediate Past Municipal Chief Executive of Asante Akim,  Madam  Susan  Akomea, who is on the board as a representative of the President ,  Madam Araba Bosomtwe Another representative of the President.  Mr.  Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah, a fellow of the Ghana College of Pharmacy, is also joining the board.

Inauguration of the 9 Member Board

Inaugurating the Board today, May 22, 2024, the Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam charged the members to work hard to help improve Ghana’s revenue mobilization drive.

“We must improve revenue mobilization to achieve our medium-term revenue target of 18%-20% tax/GDP ratio and we must meet all indicative targets and structural benchmarks related to revenue under the Fund programme”, he said.

He urged the members to bring their experience on board to help reduce waste in the system while improving revenue collection.

“Given your extensive backgrounds and professional expertise, I am confident that each Board member will meet the expectations of government, and the general public”, he stressed.

Dr. Adam promised to support the efforts of the board members with the open-door policy.

“I am available to meet at short notice and also want to see more regular updates on revenue performance to ensure we remain aligned and focused as we advance”

The Finance Minister reminded the 9 member board that; “We must leave the inauguration with a dedicated resolve to change the narrative and eclipse a 20% threshold of revenue to GDP within the shortest possible time”

Dr. Adam encouraged the board members not to forget that the country’s obligations under the International Monetary Fund-supported Post COVID Programme for Economic Growth.

The Minister also charged the 9-member board to immediately deal with fundamental human resource issues, particularly concerning promotions, capacity development, and sub-optimal physical working conditions will be critical.

Background

The Board of the GRA, is being reconstituted after the former Board Chairman, Dr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi resigned from his position.

This resulted in the dissolution of the entire board. In response to this development, President Akufo-Addo appointed Ms. Julie Essiam as the new Commissioner-General of the GRA, succeeding Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah.

Dr. Oteng-Gyasi assumed the role of Board Chair of the GRA in August 2021, succeeding Professor Stephen Adei.

Members of the dissolved board included Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Adelaide Ahwireng, Prof. Peter Ohene Kyei, Kwabena Boateng, Dela Obeng-Sakyi, Maxwell Opoku-Afari, and Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei.

Dr. Oteng-Gyasi, a former President of the Association of Ghana Industries and Managing Director and Chairman of Tropical Cable and Conductor Ltd, took over the role of Board Chair following Professor Stephen Adei’s tenure from 2019 to 2021.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, the lawmaker categorically stated that he is not interested in becoming a running mate or Vice President.

“I am not interested in becoming the running mate to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. I have not even considered it… Vice President is not something that I crave to be, he said on Monday.

The politician further acknowledged the prevailing sentiment within the NPP that the running mate for the party’s presidential candidate should come from the Ashanti Region.

When questioned about his agreement with the party’s position, he responded, “As I said earlier, everything can be sold.” He emphasised the importance of the running mate complementing the strengths and qualities of the presidential candidate.

Mr Ghartey further cited the example of President Akufo-Addo choosing Dr. Bawumia, an economist, to support him, and suggested that the choice should align with the preferences and needs of the presidential candidate.

“If you want a younger person, then you choose a young person. But in my view, the party should not be looking at somebody from the coast or the north and combine the two; there are other parts of Ghana that we have to look at,” Ghartey remarked,

Nonetheless, Mr Ghartey expressed confidence that the party will choose the best person for the role.

After Dr Bawumia emerged victorious in the NPP primaries, many have wondered whom he will select to his running mate ahead of the December 7 polls.

So far, names such as Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Energy Minister), Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum (Education Minister), and Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (Majority Leader), who have been rumoured as frontrunners, will be juggling their chances against others like John Ampontuah Kumah, Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Ejisu, and Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, whose names have been making the rounds as well.

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The Essikado Ketan MP has said the claims are mere propaganda aimed at tarnishing his hard-won reputation as someone who has served Ghana with a high degree of integrity for several years.

In a statement, Mr Ghartey explained that the Auditor-General’s Report clearly indicates that it was the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund that acquired shares in the foreign company that approached the Ministry of Railways Development with an offer to develop an elevated metro tram system for Accra, envisaged to cost US$2.6 billion.

According to him, he made it clear from the beginning to the promoters of the Accra Sky Train Project that his Ministry did not have the budget for the proposed project.

However, he welcomed the project as a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) Project, hence the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2018 and another Agreement with the promoters in November 2018.

“In 2019, the Ministry signed a concession agreement with the promoters, subject to several conditions precedent, including approval by Cabinet, approval by Parliament, approval by the Ministry of Finance, and conduct of a Value for Money Audit, among others, that needed to be satisfied before the concession agreement took effect,” he said.

The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund was established to mobilise, manage, coordinate, and provide financial resources for investment in a diversified portfolio of infrastructure projects in Ghana.

It has invested over US$300 million in various infrastructure projects. Joe Ghartey clarifies that it is not an agency or statutory body under the Ministry of Railways Development.

He further explained that in the third quarter of 2019, the concession agreement was signed in South Africa, and the investors were supposed to come to Ghana with their technical team to complete the full feasibility and final bill of quantities in 2020.

However, due to COVID and lockdowns in both South Africa and Ghana, their program was disrupted while he was serving as Minister.

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He insisted that the money was instead paid by the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund.

The Minority in Parliament strongly criticised the government for paying the $2 million to Africa Investor Holdings Limited, for the Accra Sky Train Project without parliamentary and the requisite public procurement approvals.

But Mr Ghartey in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Monday rejected the claims and said the Minority members are only broadcasting propaganda.

He explained that in projects such as that of the now-defunct sky train project, it is the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) that effects such payments, and therefore the Minority may want to get the answers it is seeking from the GIIF.

“It is the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund that paid the money and the Fund is mandated to make such payments and so if the Minority wants anyone to refund the money, they should tell the Auditor General to ask the Fund to refund the money.”

He further emphasised that the South African company that was supposed to execute the project was to come back to Ghana, but the outbreak of COVID-19 prevented that from happening, and that was how his engagement with the South Africans ended on the project, with no payment discussions.

“I went to South Africa in 2018 to make the presentation because the quality of life is affected by heavy traffic and then the South Africans came. The company went back and said they wanted a concession agreement of thirty years and I said it was not possible. The company went away and was supposed to come in 2020 and then there was COVID-19.

“And so as far as my Ministry is concerned, we did not give them any money. I didn’t have any money and I didn’t have the power to pay any money and I did not pay any money.

“I don’t have the power to write for payment to the company in Mauritius. GIIF [Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund] is the statutory corporation that has the power to make such payments and so you can ask them.”

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The Essikado-Ketan Constituency Member of Parliament said this after filing his nomination form on Saturday, June 24, 2023, to contest the Presidential primaries of the party.

Addressing supporters at the party headquarters in Accra, the politician and lawyer said politics is not about what one will get but rather about what one can do for humanity.

Mr Ghartey says leadership should be about “blessing people so God can bless you.”

He said he was not desperate to become the President of Ghana but noted that if it is the will of God, he will be the next President.

“If it’s God’s will I will be the president of Ghana. I will not force things,” said Mr Ghartey.

The MP arrived at the Asylum Down headquarters of NPP in the company of his family and well-wishers including his wife, Efua Ghartey.

Thousands of enthusiastic party supporters from across the various constituencies and 16 regions of Ghana besieged the NPP headquarters to lend their support to Hon. Ghartey, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

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Hon. Ghartey and his wife, Efua Ghartey, visited Prof. Oquaye at his residence to sign the book of condolence.

During the visit, Mr Ghartey recalled various public events that he sat next to the former Speaker and his dear wife “and she was wonderful company. Such a lady.”

“During President Kufuor’s administration, I sat next to Prof Oquaye in Cabinet. At the time he was Minister of Energy and I was Attorney General and Minister of Justice”, Hon. Ghartey said.

“Prof. Oquaye handed over his staff to me when I succeeded him in 2013 as 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament.”

“When Prof Oquaye became Speaker I was one of the few Parliamentarians he would invite to his Chambers to have lunch with him.

“My relationship with him extended to his family, including his dear wife.

“May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace until the day of resurrection,” Mr Ghartey added.

According to the NPP Chairman, Joe Ghartey is the best man to lead the party to break the 8-year-cycle since he can do the job better as President of Ghana.

The Western Regional NPP chairman said this when Joe Ghartey who is lacing his boots to contest for the Presidential primaries of the ruling party paid a courtesy call on the Regional Executives to announce his ambition.

The event took place at the University of Mines and Technology, School of Railways and Infrastructural Development in Sekondi – Takoradi.

At the meeting, the presidential candidate hopeful told the Western Regional Executive Committee that by God’s grace he has the experience, humility, and vision to lead Ghana.

The former Attorney- General under the Ex-president Kufuor’s government from 2006 to 2009, speaking on corruption said “the fight against corruption, the fight against narcotic drugs and judgment debts, in all these areas I gave my best”.

Mr Ghartey continued that between 2013 and 2017 January he was the 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

He said in that capacity he gained a reputation for being firm but fair.

He said in 2021 this was confirmed by the current Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Bagbin when he made unsolicited comments in that regard in Parliament.

At the time Joe Ghartey was Deputy Speaker the current Speaker was the Majority Leader.

He said subsequently he became Minister for Railways Development where he also gave his best.

He said as a five-term Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker he was confident that as President he could work with both sides of the House in the interest of Ghana.

The former Minister is currently in the Western North Region embarking on his campaign.

Dr Panford was MP for Shama between 2017 and 2021 and died at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHAPOHA) Hospital in Takoardi, after being ill for a short while.

Mr Ghartey, a presidential hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), led a team of party members to sign the Book of Condolence at Dr Panford’s residence.

The members include Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister and MP for Takoradi; Mr Samuel Ericson Abakah, MP for Shama; and constituency executives of Essikado-Ketan and Shama.

Mr Ghartey described the late former MP’s death as a shock to him and the entire Essikado-Ketan Constituency.

“I was extremely fortunate to have known him and worked with him. He was an inspiration to all.

“As a mark of respect, I have postponed my nationwide tour of ‘Hope and Unity’ which was to commence on Monday, February 13 in the Western Region to Wednesday, February 15.

“I pray for his soul and for the souls of the departed to rest in peace until the day of resurrection,” Mr Ghartey said.

Mr Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister, also expressed his deepest regret on behalf of the President and Government for the sudden loss of Dr Panford, whom he first met in the 1990s.

He lauded Dr. Panford’s connection with industry in the Western Region – saying he would be remembered for his sense of dynamism in the NPP.

Mr Stephen Koomson, on behalf of the bereaved family, conveyed his gratitude to the delegation for mourning with them.

He said the family had decided to observe the one-week celebration of Dr Panford on February 24 at the St. Paul’s Methodist Church at Inchaba, in the Shama District.

Mr. Ghartey, New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for the Essikado-Ketan Constituency and former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice on 13th January 2023, paid a courtesy call on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House to officially inform him of his intention to contest in the NPP Presidential Primary slated for later this year.

The President in a discussion with Mr Ghartey said he saw his role as ensuring a fair playing field.

According to the President, he was prepared to support anyone who emerged victorious in the primaries.

The President, however, cautioned that the campaign should be conducted with decency.

The President emphasized that it was his desire to ensure that NPP retains power in 2025 and beyond.

On his part, Mr Ghartey thanked the President for the confidence he reposed in him during his first term of office when he found him worthy to serve as the Minister for such a critical Ministry as Railways Development.

Mr Ghartey assured the President that he and his team will conduct themselves in decency during the campaign for the flagbearership position and promised to work very hard for the party to retain power beyond 2024.

Mr Ghartey made it clear that he would not sit idle and that he would take immediate action if any member of his team goes wayward and starts attacking others.

He thanked the President for taking time of his busy schedule to meet with him and wished he and the government well.

Miss Ewurama Ghartey married her sweetheart in a glamorous traditional wedding ceremony which took place over the weekend at a private venue.

Scenes from the event captured the rich and diverse Ghanaian culture as the proud father and wife were dressed in his kente to support their daughter.

An act of the former Railway Minister and private legal practitioner at the ceremony which has earned the admiration of many was his decision not to accept any dowry or marriage items from the groom’s family.

He requested that they bring only a ring and Bible.

This he indicated was a nugget he learnt from his father-in-law who only requested his family comes with a Bible and ring which he believes is the symbol of every marriage while going to marry his wife.

As his parting gift to the newlyweds, Mr Ghartey prayed for God’s blessings upon the marriage and asked that they become each other’s best friends not forgetting to share in their joy and pains.

“Be true to each other always; share your joys and your burdens; love much and laugh much; be each other’s best friend. Always speak well of one another, even in private. And when things don’t go well, forgive as often as is required.

“Married life is an adventure and you embark today on that adventure together. Even though you are individuals, your covenant today makes the couple more important than either of you separately. God bless you abundantly,” Mr Ghartey urged as he took to his Facebook page to share visuals from the ceremony.

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Member of Parliament (MP) for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey, has given a hilarious response after a question about his presidential ambition popped up.

About five leading members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) including Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen and Agric Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto have all reportedly expressed interest in contesting the flagbearership race of the party.

Mr Ghartey, who is also a former Deputy Speaker of Parliament, has popped up along the conversation.

He had earlier indicated he will make his intention known when nominations are opened by the party for persons seeking to lead the party into the 2024 elections.

This, the former Railways Minister explained, was to avoid any sanction from the party against him.

But when the question came up again in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Ghartey burst in laughter with a popular Christian slogan.

The host of the show, Osei Bonsu (OB) asked: “You are still a Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan constituents have voted for you. We heard the news making round that you want to be president. Do you still have that ambition?”

Mr Gharety, in response, said: “I also heard the news and I’m going to answer it by asking you to respond to something; God is good, all the time and all the time, God is good. Thank you very much. I’m done answering.”

Play the audio above:

The candidate, Professor Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, is challenging the results declared by the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana.

Joe Ghartey, the incumbent Member of Parliament, was declared winner by the EC.

The court, presided over by Dr Richmond Osei Hwere, adjourned the trial to Tuesday, March 23, 2021, for a ruling on an application by the 1st Respondent, Mr Ghartey, filed by his counsel Frank Davies.

Mr Davies prayed the court to strike out the petition on the grounds that the petition ought to have been signed by the petitioner herself and not her counsel, David Kwadzo Ametefe.

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The court, after hearing some legal arguments, of which counsel for the petitioner, Mr Ametefe opposed the motion, adjourned for ruling on the motion on the said adjourned date.

Mr Ghartey, who prides himself as “a Voltarian by choice,” said an end must be put to the stereotyping of Ewes and everyone for that matter.

He made the call while contributing to the debate regarding the controversial textbook that sought to denigrate Ewes, on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.

Mr Ghartey, the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, who introduced the Justice for All Programme in Ghana, said “the unity of Ghana is above politics.”

Badu Nkansah Publications, the publishers of some textbooks meant for basic school pupils, have been widely condemned over portions of the books that denigrated the Ewe ethnic group in Ghana.

One of the textbooks – History of Ghana, Text Book 3 – was authored by Badu Nkansah and Nelly Martinson Anim.

Another textbook: Golden English Basic 4 was authored by Okyere Baafi Alexander both of which were said to contain bigoted content targeted at Ewes.

According to the National Council for Curriculum Assessment, the three textbooks: “History of Ghana for Basic 6 by Golden Publications, which carries distasteful information about Dr Kwame Nkrumah and the Convention People’s Party, History of Ghana Textbook 3 by Badu Nkansah Publications, which features a song that shows the Ewes identity; Golden English Basic 4 by Golden Publications, which displays ‘Efo agrees to prepare the juju for the players’ on page 17,” are all unapproved.

But Mr Ghartey said Voltarians need not be stereotyped for whatsoever reason, noting emphatically that the textbooks saga cannot be handled with politics.

He said the first presidential election in Ghana was between Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah and Dr Kwame Nkrumah and that Voltarians voted for Dr Danquah, who is one of the forebears of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He said the fact that Voltarians vote for the National Democratic Congress today should not be used to stereotype them because if they voted for Dr Danquah in the past, they could also vote for NPP tomorrow.

He stressed the need for Ghanaians to unite and do away with stereotyping one another.

In his latest article, Mr Ghartey recounted the longstanding cordial relationship between him and his successor.

Mr Ghartey, an astute lawyer, described Mr Amewu as his brother and shared fond memories of them.

He expressed profound joy that after serving as Railways Development Minister from 2017 to 2021, his own brother, Mr Amewu, has been nominated to succeed him.

For Mr Ghartey, the appointment of Mr Amewu is a step in the right direction.

“My Brother, you will succeed to the glory of God,” he prayed.

Below is Hon. Ghartey’s full article:

John Peter Amewu my brother, will succeed.

I am sure people are wondering why a man whose mother is from Western Region and whose father is from Central Region and also who has ancestry to Greater Accra and the Ashanti Region will call a full-blooded Voltarian his brother. Indeed I am a Voltarian. I am a Voltarian by choice but not by birth.

I visited my mother’s brother, William Cornelius Daniels, who was working in Hohoe and I fell in love with the place, the people and the Volta Region in general. Where I stayed from 1983 to 1993 was with Phillip Kudji (Coujay), in the house at Hohoe behind the statue of General Kotoka, on the way to St Francis. We were with Lawrence Gborgblor (Family Man), Wisdom Akoto, Marlon Anipa, John’s older cousin Walter Amewu, Ativor and my brother Coujay and others.

I remember you attended my vetting with me in Parliament in 2006 when I was being vetted for Attorney General.

We laid a strong foundation for NPP at its formation and today my brothers and sisters in Hohoe are still strong in NPP.

Is it not amazing that many years later I should serve in Cabinet with my brother John Peter who like me also hails from Hohoe.

Is it not even more amazing that today John Peter Amewu is going to become the second Minister of Railways Development.

When I became a Minister I went to church in Prampram and the Reverend Minister asked Madam Joyce Aryee to pray for me. She prayed for support from the President, patience from the people of Ghana and interest in the sector from investors. I can say without any equivocation that her prayer for the four years I was in Office came to pass. I pray the same prayer for you. Today the railway sector is at the same place that the petroleum sector was, a few years ago.

Your experience in your previous portfolios will stand you in good stead. My Brother, you will succeed to the glory of God, the people of Ghana and our people in Hohoe.

And let all the believers say Amen!

Mr Ghartey, in his letter shared by New Patriotic Party stalwart, Gabby Otchere-Darko on Facebook, has lauded Mr Dame for his exploits in his career.

Admitting Mr Dame is a young, dynamic and vibrant lawyer, he recounted his prophecy on June 15, 2006 about the former becoming an Attorney General of Ghana.

Mr Ghartey indicated this was when the young lawyer came to his office as a private legal practitioner to discuss a case he wanted him to testify.

“He wanted to serve a subpoena on me, in my official capacity, to testify. That case was Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings vrs. Ato Sam and Western Publications Limited (Publishers of the Daily Guide newspaper).

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“He was counsel for defendants. I violently refused. We had an argument. Indeed, it was quite a confrontation. At the end of it all I said to him; one day you will be the Attorney General; you will occupy this office. He said you are speaking from the Deputy Attorney General’s Office,” parts of his letter read.

Fast forward to 2021, Mr Ghartey has expressed joy that his prophecy has come to pass and he has no doubt Mr Dame will succeed.

Mr Dame was a Deputy Attorney-General in President Nana Akufo-Addo’s first term, however, he has been nominated as a substantive minister in the second term.

Read the full letter below:

Joe Ghartey (MP) writes*On June 15th 2006, a young, dynamic and vibrant lawyer came to my Office. He came to my office as a private practitioner to discuss a case in which he wanted to serve a subpoena on me, in my official capacity, to testify.

That case was Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings vs. Ato Sam and Western Publications Limited (Publishers of the Daily Guide newspaper). He was counsel for defendants.

I violently refused. We had an argument. Indeed, it was quite a confrontation. At the end of it all I said to him; “one day you will be the Attorney General.

You will occupy this Office”. He said “you are speaking from the Deputy Attorney General’s Office”. I said, “but I am the Attorney General-designate and you will occupy both positions”. I had been vetted for Attorney General and approved by Parliament but had not been sworn in by President Kufour.

As such, I was still in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General. I subsequently gathered that, notwithstanding my refusal to testify on a subpoena, the defendants won the case.

I met the young lawyer one day and I asked him whether he saw the wisdom in my refusal to testify. He admitted that he did.

That young lawyer was Godfred Dame, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice designate.

Today, 5 Attorneys General since my tenure as Attorney General ended on January 6th, 2009, my “prophecy“ has come to pass, and my heart is gladdened.

Godfred has been Deputy Attorney General for 4 years and it is my prayer that he will be Attorney General for at least 4 years. I was Deputy Attorney General for a year from 2005 to 2006 and then the Attorney General from 2006 to January 2009.

Like me, he has progressed from Deputy Attorney General to Attorney General and it holds immense advantages. I was sworn in on June 16th 2006. Godfred came to the Ministry of Justice on June 15th 2006.

I was the youngest Attorney General in the 4th Republic when I was appointed. He would be, not only the youngest of the 4th Republic but in the history of Ghana when sworn into office by the Grace of God.

Coincidentally, both of us trained at Akufo-Addo Prempeh & Co but he came thereafter I had left with my wife, Efua Ghartey to set up Ghartey & Ghartey. After our initial verbal battle in my Office, Godfred and I forged a very close friendship.

I made him my Teaching Assistant when I was teaching company law at the Ghana School of Law. I also led him in the Supreme Court in one famous matter in the constitutional history of Ghana, Ransford France v. The Electoral Commission.

I wish him well and I have no doubt that he will succeed. I have no doubt that his temperament, disposition, industry and faith in God will spur him on to great heights.

I am also exceptionally pleased that as the 19th Attorney General, what I prophesied on the 15th of June, 2006 has come to pass which would make him the 25th Attorney General of the Republic of Ghana.

It reminds us of Habakkuk 2: 2-3 which says, “… Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets … Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come …”

The Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey, has explained why the government’s intent to build an elevated train [sky train] in the country has not materialised.

According to him, the South African company, Africa Investment (Ai) SkyTrain Consortium has not done the second feasibility study for the sky train project in Accra.

The agreement for the project was signed in 2019 to solve the ever-increasing road traffic congestion in Accra.

This is part of the government’s efforts to accelerate economic activities, especially in the capital which is now choked with a lot of human and vehicular traffic.

However, almost a year after the agreement was signed, nothing has happened and government is being criticised for it.

Setting the records straight on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday, Mr Ghartey said the delay is to ensure due diligence.

He explained that after they signed the consensual agreement in 2018, the company wanted the contract for 30 years – a proposal government rejected.

The Railway Minister said government, therefore, requested the company to submit the final bill of quantity before it can award the contract.

But, just when they were working on it, Mr Ghartey said the COVID-19 pandemic broke and the South African investors could not come to Ghana with their bill of quantities.

“I will not sign any major contract few months to elections and if they come without the bill of quantity and it does not go for value for money audit, I will not sign. I’m a lawyer with over three years practice so when I see any contract, I look at it well,” he stated.

The Railway Minister indicated that there is no cause for alarm if the company does not return because many others from France and China have expressed interest in building sky trains in Ghana.

Mr Ghartey was confident in the next four years, if the government decides to build a sky train in Accra, it can be done.

“Ghanaians should all be patient; within three years we will move from the Old Testament to the New Testament,” he promised.

The refurbishment of the state-of-the-art institution was in partnership with the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa.  

Speaking on the progress of work, Minister for Railway Development, Joe Ghartey expressed optimism the institution will go a long way to boost Ghana’s economy.

He disclosed on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen that the school will hopefully open admissions by January 2021 with expectations high on opening campuses across the country.

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Mr Ghartey noted that all the necessary infrastructure and meetings to remove all bottlenecks for a smooth take-off of the school have been held.

The school will offer BSc, as well as Diploma in Railways Engineering and other Engineering Programmes in the 2021/2022 academic year.

According to President Akufo-Addo, this is to revamp the sector which has deteriorated over the years since colonial rule ended in Ghana.

“The British left us a functioning railway system, we didn’t look after it, and we allowed it to deteriorate. For this part of the 21st century, a major responsibility is on you, on me, my successors, to rebuild the railway infrastructure in our country,” he said.

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President Akufo-Addo said this while addressing workers of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) at the Diesel Multiple Unit workshop shed in Tema as part of his tour of the Greater Accra region.

“It is obvious that rail transport is environmentally friendly, it is efficient, it is less costly and it is generally a more intelligent way of moving people and goods than any other form of transport.

“Other people have got first class railway systems in the world, Ghana we are going to have a first class railway system in our country,” President Akufo-Addo said confidently.

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Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey, also in his remarks noted that by 2023, Ghana must have a viable railway sector that will meet the transportation needs of the citizenry.

He further indicated that over 10 coaches which were to be scrapped were being reformed by the hardworking GRCL workers.

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According to Mr Joe Ghartey, the Burkina Faso government has agreed to bear 50 per cent of the consultancy cost on the feasibility studies on Tema to Burkina Faso rail line via Akosombo in the Eastern region.

The first phase of the project is the development of a 100 km railway from the Tema Harbour to Mpakadan Port along the Volta Lake.

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Speaking at the Meet-the-Press Series on Wednesday, the Minister described the Tema-Mpakadan railway line, scheduled to be completed by 2020, as a significant milestone in the construction of the Accra-Ouagadougou line.

“The consultants have assured me and I am confident the project will be completed by August 2020,” he said.

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Mr Ghartey also noted that the government will soon pay compensation packages to those who have been affected by the construction of the railway lines in various parts of the country.

The latter phase of the mega railway project estimated to cost US$230 million is expected to link the Mpakadan Port to Paga through Buipe and then to Burkina Faso.

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Aside the line helping to move cargo between Ghana and its landlocked northern neighbouring countries; Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, there will be passenger fleet as part of the project.

The proposed railway line will go through Hohoe, Jasikan, Nkwanta, Bimbilla to Yendi and Sheni. It will then continue to Tamale, Walewale, Bolgatanga, Navrongo and then link Burkina Faso at the Paga-Dakota border, approximately 700km from Mpakadan.

The audit, according to Mr Ghartey, is to help identify persons who have, over the years, stolen properties belonging to the railway entity.

The minister has also stated his resolve to punish everyone who may be found culpable after the audit process, saying such persons will be made to face the full rigours of the law.

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“I want to use this stage to send a friendly warning to the people who are stealing railway property that your time will catch up with you and when that happens, there will be no mercy,” the minister warned.

“It has come to our notice that some workers of railways are giving out grants to people near the railway station to trespass,” he noted further.

Mr Joe Ghartey said his outfit’s attention has been drawn to massive thievery at the rail company, prompting the decision to engage the National Security to help the government take stock of all existing possessions of the ailing company so it can strategise on how to revamp the sector.

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“What is happening is that as we are trying to preserve the state’s assets, some people are actively stealing. I have the figure from National Security but don’t want to say it and I have asked the railways to also give me the figure when we finish the audit, we will know where we are, [when the entire audit is done]” he explained on Starr FM monitored by Adomonline.com.

The committee in presenting its report on Thursday said the actions of the Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga is in contempt of Parliament and as part of its recommendations asked him to apologize to Parliament after which the Speaker was supposed to deliver a verdict on the case.

Mahama Ayariga offered an apology in a manner that sparked debate in the House as to whether the way he went about it was proper or not.

The Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Ocquaye Jnr. promised to give his verdict today but in a sharp contrast to his promise, he said his verdict will be given at a later time.

Listen to Mike Ocquaye

Chairman of the Committee, after almost two months of investigations which was held in public presented the report to Parliament on Wednesday March 30, 2017.

The Joe Ghartey committee was constituted after allegations by the Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga that the Chairman of the Appointment Committee Joe Osei Owusu had given Ȼ3,000 each to minority members of the committee to approve the Minister of Energy nominee at the time.

Ayariga told an Accra based radio Station Radio Gold that the money was given to the Minority Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak for onward distribution to the members of the Minority.

But the bribery allegation by Ayariga, as dramatic as it was, was met with vehement denials by Joe Osei Owusu, Muntaka Mubarak and the Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko.

But after months of fact finding, Hon. Joe Ghartey said ” the evidence as far as we are concerned exonerate Hon. Boakye Agyako and Hon. Joe Osei-Wusu”.

He indicated that “there is not evidence of an attempt to bribe the members of the Appointment Committee by anybody”.

Joe Ghartey stated that the bribery allegation by the Bawku Central MP remains a “mystery”

More soon…

According to the Acting Director of Public Affairs of Parliament, Kate Addo, the information was captured in the business statement for the House last Friday.

“The committee chairman had indicated that the committee will lay its report on Wednesday and it was contained in the business statement that was read on the floor on Friday. So we are expecting that on Wednesday the committee will lay its report,” she added.

The Joe Ghartey led Committee reportedly rounded off its work by taking evidence from three more witnesses.

The five-member Committee was set up following allegations that the Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko bribed some members of the Appointments Committee.

The Energy Minister has since denied the allegations against him.

Joe Ghartey committee’s report won’t be objective – ACEPA

In a related development, the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) is skeptical over the objectivity of the outcome of committee’s report.

According to a senior associate of ACEPA, Tuinese Amuzu, questions that were posed to witnesses who appeared before the committee were too skewed in a certain way that did not tell the entire story of what transpired.

Speaking at a multi-stakeholder forum on strengthening responsiveness to corruption-related incidents, Amuzu said “the posture of the committee is as a result of the kind of training that members of the committee had. So we are all brought up into a system that say, if you are coming into this committee there are rules by which you should come.

We should be more interested in the substantive matter, and coming to the bottom of it.”

It will be recalled that The Joe Ghartey committee was constituted last month to investigate bribery allegations brought against leadership of the appointment committee.

Their 30 day time line expired over 2 weeks ago but Ghanaians have still not heard anything which led to calls by Anti corruption crusaders and other civil society groups mounting pressure on the committee to come out with their report.

Following this, Public Affairs Director of parliament, Kate Addo says the report will be released on March 29.

In a statement, she says the committee met Wednesday to review evidence provided by the persons who appeared before them.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Parliament’s Appointment Committee Joe Osei says his accusers have so far failed to throw up any evidence that he attempted bribing minority members of his committee.

He says he wished the committee’s work was over already, but understands why it needs more time.

Mr Ayariga said Joseph Osei-Owusu handed over the bribe money to the MPs, a claim Mr Osei-Owusu denies vehemently.

 Listen to Mr Osei-Owusu

Various individuals and Civil Society Groups are questioning why it is taking the committee a very long time to make public its findings on the matter that has cast a slur on the image of the legislature.

Mr. Boakye Agyarko, Minister of Energy, has been accused of attempting to bribe 10 Minority members on Parliament’s Appointments Committee, with GHc 3,000 each, prior to his approval.

An ad-hoc ommittee has subsequently been set up by the Speaker, following a petition by three minority MPs namely Mahama Ayariga, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and Alhassan Suhuyini, who have confirmed that the alleged bribery indeed occurred, hence their decision to ask for investigations, despite the denial by Minority Chip Whip and MP for Asawase, Muntaka Mubarak.

But Director of the Africa Center for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Rashid Raman and Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative Linda Ofori Kwafo are of the view that the delay could brew speculation that the committee is trying to massage the truth.

Click on attached audio for more

Mr. Ghartey made this known on Friday while addressing the media at Akosombo on an inspection tour.

The tour was to enable the Minister, contractors and consultants for the project find out where the rail line will end at Akosombo and also look out for a suitable place for the creation of an industrial hub within the area to ensure that the nation obtains great benefit from the project.

The sod-cutting ceremony for the railway will be done in March.

“We are about to start the Tema-Akosombo rail line. Part of the reason is that when the goods end at Akosombo they will go onto the water and move up to Buipe and then to Paga,” he said.

“But it’s our view that we shouldn’t have a situation where the goods just come here and that’s it,” Mr. Ghartey stated adding “we can create another economic activity here.”

“Rail is a means to an end. So we are saying that when it terminates here and joins the water we must be capable of creating some form of industrial park so that people can come and do business here,” he noted.

It would be recalled that Parliament in 2016 under the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) approved the budget for the project which is 84.8 km single standard gauge railway line from Tema to Akosombo on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis.

The project which forms the foundation of a planned multi-modal freight corridor, is a partnership between the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) and AFCONS Infrastructure Limited of India, with the latter as the financier.

The Minister announced that the project will be completed in 36 months vowing that he shall do all it takes to ensure the completion of the project on schedule.

He indicated also that government is considering the creation of a free zone at the Akosombo Lake Port.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that the project when completed will help expedite the movement of cargo from the Tema Port, which will in turn improve vessel turnaround time to make the port more competitive.

It is also expected to address the imbalance between transport modes for long distance transit and domestic freight from the south to the northern part of the country.

Works on the project will include the building of six rail stations at the Tema Port, Tema Industrial Area, Afienya, Doryumu/Kodiabe, Kpong and Akosombo.

Railway heads or terminals will also be constructed at Tema and Akosombo including the provision of operational facilities and loading equipment.

This is expected to ease the pressure on the road networks along the corridor

Furthermore, the project which is dear to the heart of the President Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, is equally expected to significantly reduce the cost of transportation of bulk commodities as well as offer an alternative and cheaper means of transport for passengers who ply that route.