GOVERNMENT ON COURSE TO ACHIEVING INCREASED ELECTRICITY GENERATION

President Mahama says government is on course in achieving its objective of increasing the country’s electricity generation from 2,500 megawatts to 5,000 by 2016. 

He said this will not only address the country’s energy needs but also give Ghana the competitive edge and comparative advantage over her West African neighbours. 

He said government will then be in a better position to sell reliable power to Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin and Burkina Faso. President Mahama said this at a durbar of the chiefs and people of Brong Ahafo in Sunyani. 

He was optimistic that with Bui coming on stream with 400 megawatts and other thermal projects underway in the Western Region and Tema in the Greater Accra Region, the target of 5,000 megawatts will soon be realized.

OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE REDUCED TO ASHES AFTER EARLY  MORNING FIRE.

The Old Parliament which houses the Commission of Inquiry into Judgement Debt, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) was gutted by fire in the early hours of this morning.

A statement issued and signed in Accra by George William Dove Public Relations Officer  says at about 4.00 am in the early hours of Thursday, December 19, 2013, there was a fire outbreak in the main chamber of the old Parliament House (opposite the Kwame Nkrumah Masoleum) which prompted fire control measures and the Ghana Fire Service was called.

According to the statement, the Commission wishes to assure the public, especially its stakeholders, that even though the fire incident was severe, it did not affect any life. Again, it would not seriously affect the Commission’s work. However, the Commission will relocate and the new location will be announced soon.

The statement further said the Commission expresses its gratitude to the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) for their prompt response which ensured that the fire was put out.

It stated that the Commission awaits the Fire Report from the Fire Service to know the cause of the fire.

The Commission of Inquiry into Judgment Debt is also grateful to the general public for their concerns and unflinching support not only at this time but since the commencement of its work.

COURT DISMISSES CHALLENGE TO SALE OF MERCHANT BANK TO FORTIZ EQUITY FUND AS DEFENCE COUNSEL FILES APPEAL

Accra High Court has ruled that the Executive Director of the Center for Freedom and Accuracy, Andrew Awuni has no capacity to bring the sale of Merchant Bank to Fortiz to court.

Justice Sophia Benasko Essah said Mr Awuni cannot bring the case to court in his capacity as a citizen and also as a contributor to SSNIT.She said if the application is granted it will amount to equating every SSNIT contributor to a Trustee or a Board Member of SSNIT who are mandated by law to take decisions concerning SSNIT.

 Lead Counsel for Andrew Awuni in his challenge to the sale of Merchant Bank to Fortiz Private Equity Fund says the dismissal of the case is not the end of the matter. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana, Egbert Faibille said the matter has now gone beyond Fortiz and its acquisition of Merchant Bank. 

He argued that it is now an issue of whether it is right, just and equitable for SSNIT to collect pension from workers, but cannot be questioned or taken to court by any individual contributors when it is mismanaging, the funds. He has consequently filed a notice of appeal. 

Meanwhile,Fortiz Equity Fund has formally announced its official takeover of Merchant Bank Ghana Limited. A statement signed by Emmanuel Botchwey on behalf of the executive director assured the public and all other stakeholders of its commitment to achieving the objectives of Merchant Bank which includes, putting all the human and capital resources necessary for success at the disposal of Merchant Bank. It announced Miss Nilla Selormey as the Managing Director designate.

Bronze-Skinned Boy cooling off @ Keta Beach.